TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2016) – The University of South Florida announced today that it has received a $3.5 million gift from Tampa General Hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. The gift will be used to establish an endowed faculty chair in cardiovascular sciences and to create a neurosciences research fund to examine brain and nervous system diseases through the Morsani College of Medicine and its Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute.

Tampa General Hospital is USF Health’s primary teaching hospital and primary cardiology practice site.

Tampa General Hospital has served as USF’s primary teaching hospital since the medical school first opened in 1971, and hundreds of students from USF’s medical, nursing and physical therapy programs receive clinical training at Tampa General each year.

“Over many decades, USF and TGH have been dedicated partners in medical research and education; this donation underscores how deeply committed we are to improving the health and well-being of our community,” said USF System President Judy Genshaft.

“This gift highlights the continued investment in the Morsani College of Medicine that we’ve seen from the community, state and our philanthropic partners during the USF: Unstoppable campaign,” said Joel Momberg, CEO of the USF Foundation. “There is so much promise and possibility in this transformative project that began with the generosity of Carol and Frank Morsani, and continues with the support from the health care professionals at Tampa General Hospital.”

Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, said we are deeply grateful to Tampa General Hospital for their incredible generosity that will help fund and strengthen our key initiatives in cardiovascular sciences and neurosciences.

“By establishing an endowed chair in our Heart Institute, this gift will not only enable us to explore all aspects of cardiovascular health including sorting out the differences in heart disease between men and women, but also it will provide life-saving preventions and treatments for heart disease and other cardiovascular disorders,” Dr. Lockwood said. “We are also pleased that this gift will advance our research efforts in neurosciences at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute.”

Tampa General Hospital has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the top-ranked cardiology and heart surgery practice in Tampa Bay, and the specialty is ranked #35 in the nation. Tampa General is USF’s primary cardiology practice site, where most of the university’s inpatient and outpatient cardiac services are provided and all inpatient cardiovascular clinical trials are conducted. The hospital is also the flagship affiliate for USF’s department of neurosurgery and brain repair.

“We’re working with the Morsani College of Medicine every day to improve the heart and brain health of patients across Florida,” said Jim Burkhart, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “With this gift, we want to help USF Health expand its research efforts and help ensure that our patients receive the most innovative care possible.”

The USF Health Heart Institute integrates innovative biomedical research with advanced clinical care to find new ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases, tailor personalized treatments for patients, and improve the heart health of the Tampa Bay community. The institute will be co-located in the new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine building in downtown Tampa. The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is another premier academic research center at USF Health, dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

– USF Health –

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the USF Physicians Group. The University of South Florida is a top 50 research university in total research expenditures among both public and private institutions nationwide, according to the National Science Foundation. For more information, visit health.usf.edu.

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The USF: Unstoppable Campaign is a comprehensive fundraising effort by the University of South Florida System to celebrate the energy, vision, and future of one of the country’s most exciting and engaged universities. Our people and programs, our ideas, our research, and our solutions comprise an ambitious plan to enhance healthcare, science, technology, education, business, the arts, and global partnerships.

Media contact:
Anne DeLotto Baier, USF Health Communications, (813) 974-3303 or abaier@health.usf.edu