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On a warm, breezy November day, an 800-pound white beam was slowly lifted skyward by a construction crane, marking another milestone in USF’s history – the topping off of the 13-story USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa.

A construction crew hoisted the 20-foot long, 800-pound beam into the air and and placed it on top the 13-story Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute building in downtown Tampa.

Below, as the USF Fight Song played on, a crowd of university and community leaders, elected officials, faculty and medical students – with cell phone cameras aimed skyward — watched the ascent of the beam bearing a green USF Bulls topiary and gently flapping flags on either end.  Many had earlier signed the steel beam at the Nov. 14 topping-off celebration, an event traditionally held when the last beam is placed, signifying completion of the building’s exterior structure.

The beam was placed at the top of the 13-story, 395,000-square-foot building shortly before noon, culminating the morning’s topping-off program held under a tent in Water Street Tampa, a $3-billion real estate development by Strategic Property Partners (SPP), the joint venture of Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investments, LLC.   USF Health’s iconic building, scheduled to open in late 2019, is a key anchor for SPP’s transformative downtown waterfront district.

From left: Calvin Williams, USF System vice president for administrative services; USF System President Judy Genshaft; and Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

“Today we are celebrating a momentous occasion — the topping-off of one of the most significant projects ever to be completed in USF System history,” said USF System President Judy Genshaft.

“This project belongs to all of us, and would not be possible if it were not for the incredible support of visionary Tampa Bay and state leaders.  It is staggering in its impact — in terms of academic, research and economic significance.”

Guests gathered under a tent set up in the heart of Water Street Tampa for the topping-off celebration.

Once complete, the building will house more than 1,800 students, faculty, researchers and staff — equipping them with world-class labs, technologically advanced lecture halls and learning spaces, and research facilities to help shape the next generations of physicians and pioneer new discoveries for cardiovascular health.

The new state-of-the-art hub for medical education and research is located in close proximity to USF’s primary teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital, and its world-class Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) facility.  It will be a key driver of economic activity for the Tampa Bay area by helping to generate a substantial increase in research grant funding, attract new biotechnology companies to the region and position USF to move up in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Dr. Lockwood signs the beam before the topping-off celebration in Water Street Tampa.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, said the new building has been designed with a new generation of physicians and other health professionals in mind – and is already attracting top talent.  USF’s incoming class of medical students in fall 2018 was its most competitive ever, with the highest median MCAT score in the state of Florida, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

“Medical knowledge is doubling every 73 days, so how do you prepare students for a world like that?” Dr. Lockwood said.  “You don’t memorize textbooks anymore; you have to be able to curate knowledge, understand it and apply it appropriately at the point of care.

“This building will be an extraordinary gem for the community and medicine in general. We will push the boundaries of medical knowledge and keep pace with its rapid expansion.”

Among those attending the celebration were university benefactors Frank and Carol Morsani, for whom the USF medical college is named. Frank Morsani told those in the audience that they had the unique opportunity of a lifetime to be part of the city of Tampa’s transformation over the last two decades.

USF benefactor Frank Morsani was among the speakers. USF’s medical college is named after Frank and his wife Carol.

“Not only is today a celebration of this university and medical school but, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a celebration for this community and city,” Morsani said. “Carol and I hope that this school of medicine will continue the transformation and philanthropy necessary for the growth of our community.”

Then with his voice choking back emotion, he added: “As we stroll hand in hand into the sunset of our lives, we are proud, honored and humbled to have this school of medicine as our legacy.”

First-year medical student Tampa Hutchens represented his fellow students at the podium, sharing their enthusiasm for the new downtown MCOM and Heart Institute.  They will be among the first occupants of the building when it opens.

First-year USF medical student Tampa Hutchens represented his classmates at the podium.

“My classmates and I are extremely happy about this new building, the resources it will have to offer, and the chance to pioneer our medical education with new facilities that enhance our research and learning experiences  — not to mention the view,” said Hutchens, who received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from USF and was “so excited” to be accepted to medical school here.

“The Morsani College of Medicine stands ready to transform its students into the kind of medical professionals we want to see in our clinics, in our hospitals and in our time of need – the compassionate, talented, patient-centered people who will improve the health of Tampa Bay and its surrounding communities.”

The event included the unveiling of a rendering of USF Health Heart Institute Weatherford Family Atrium in honor of Will Weatherford, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and his family.

Will Weatherford with wife Courtney (right) near the rendering of the USF Health Heart Institute Weatherford Family Atrium unveiled at the topping-off celebration.

Weatherford played a key role in helping champion the relocation of the MCOM and Heart Institute downtown and secure initial funding for the building, and he remains an advocate for the project.  “Our family feels blessed and honored to play a small role in the incredible transformation of our community and of this university, and in this real estate project that will forever change the way downtown Tampa looks,” he said.

Representatives from SPP and Skanska, the firm building the MCOM and Heart Institute in Water Street Tampa, also spoke at the topping-off celebration. (The project’s architect is HOK.)

James Nozar, chief executive officer for Strategic Property Partners, spoke on behalf of Jeff Vinik. The new MCOM and Heart Institute building is a key anchor of Water Street Tampa, the $3-billion real estate development by SPP, the joint venture of Vinik and Cascade Investments, LLC.

Water Street Tampa will be the world’s first WELL-certified district, and the Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute are a vital part of that health and wellness initiative, said James Nozar, chief executive officer of SPP, who spoke on behalf of Jeff Vinik.

“The partnership with USF has been very important to SPP,” Nozar said. “It’s bringing all these great minds downtown to be part of the ecosystem we’re working to create here in Water Street Tampa. Having 2,000 or so students, faculty and researchers downtown is an incredible opportunity…  A lot of of the office tenants and retail people we’re speaking with are interested in being near that. We’re designing residential facilities with that in mind.”

Tracy Hunt (right), vice president of operations for Skanska U.S.A, with USF Foundation CEO Joel Momberg, who served as master of ceremonies for the event.

“Our team’s mission is to deliver a state-of-the-art building that will benefit the Tampa Bay community for years to come,” said Tracy Hunt, vice president of operations for Skanska U.S.A. “As strong as the steel (reinforcing the building) is, the building’s real strength is all of you.”

What they said:

Bryan Bognar, MD, vice dean of Educational Affairs for the Morsani College of Medicine, watches as the beam is lifted to the top of the new building.

“This is a once-in-a-generation transformational moment. In my 30 years with USF, this moment is a bit surreal. We’ve been saying that this place is a diamond in the rough. Well, now it’s in full view – cut, polished and brilliant.”
-Bryan Bognar, MD, MPH, FACP
Vice Dean for Educational Affairs USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

“I always hoped this day would come. It took a lot of people doing a lot of work, and who believed in the vision. This is truly a partnership that will reap benefits to USF and the City of Tampa for decades to come.”
– Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa Mayor

City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn with USF medical student Liz Lafranchise and USF mascot Rocky D. Bull.

“This is definitely a game changer, certainly for top students and faculty for years to come.”
-Mark Moseley, MD
Chief Clinical Officer, USF Health and Chief Medical Officer, USF Health
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Morsani College of Medicine

“To have seen this building come from an idea to where it is today is so gratifying. And the presence of this building here today is stunning.”
– Hal Mullis, USF Trustee

“It’s thrilling to see USF expand its footprint in such a meaningful way. It’s great to be a part of all of this. In all of the planning, it was critical to be inclusive. We planned this college of medicine for its occupants, but it’s really for all of USF Health. We are making sure we get in the building on time and that everyone has a voice.”
-Carole Post
Associate Vice President, USF Health
Chief Administrative Officer, USF Health
Chief Executive Officer, HPCC/CAMLS

Kevin Sneed, PharmD (right), dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, on a recent tour of the USF Health building under construction in downtown Tampa.

“This is not just about the medical school or the Heart Institute. It’s about every community that wants to build a workforce.”
-Kevin Sneed, PharmD
Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health
Dean, College of Pharmacy

“Now that we can see the building, we are even more excited to fill its space with our Heart Institute teams. The people we’re recruiting are very impressed with the whole project and eager to get to USF.”
Sam Wickline, MD
Professor of Cardiology, Director of the USF Health Heart Institute

The new Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute facility is scheduled to open in late 2019.

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute by the numbers:

50 percent – Rise in USF medical school applications since the facility was announced

1,800 – Anticipated students, faculty, researchers and staff who will occupy the building

$2.35 to $2.60 — Amount that every $1 in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding adds to the local economy (Not including the potential for increased economic activity from biotech, pharmaceutical companies and USF start-ups)

31 – NIH funded cardiovascular faculty researchers to work at Heart Institute, more than half already recruited

$28 million – Projected increase in NIH research funding generated by the Heart Institute alone within five years.

$66 – $73 million – Expected yearly economic activity driven by the Heart Institute

47,000 tons – Amount of concrete used to build the facility, comparable to the weight of 155 Boeing 747 jets.

2.5 million linear feet – Amount of rebar used to reinforce the structure, equivalent to nearly 500 miles, or the approximate distance from Tampa to Atlanta.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCaPVmOkbcg

A commemorative gift from the topping-off celebration included a piece of reinforcement steel like that used to reinforce the building’s auditorium, and reads: The Building’s Real Strength is You.

Learn more about the project and its progress at www.usf.edu/waterstreet, including a live feed of construction available here.

-Sarah Worth contributed to this story
-USF Health video by Torie M. Doll, and photos by Eric Younghans and Freddie Coleman, USF Health Communications and Marketing
-USF video, drone images, and additional photos by Ryan Noone and Sandra C. Roa, University Communications and Marketing

Combining advanced research with the best care,  the facility’s doctors and scientists will guide the way for new solutions to cardiovascular disease 

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Tampa, FL (Dec. 17, 2013) — The University of South Florida today broke ground for a cutting-edge facility dedicated to changing the future of heart health by bringing together the latest research with the best cardiovascular care.

The groundbreaking ceremony represents an important milestone in making the vision for the USF Health Heart Institute a reality.

L to R: Mark Sharpe, chair, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners; USF President Judy Genshaft; Will Weatherford, speaker, Florida House of Representatives; Dr. Stephen Liggett, vice dean for research, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine; Dr. Harry van Loveren, interim dean, Morsani College of Medicine; and Dr. Arthur Labovitz, chair, USF Health Department of Cardiovascular Sciences.

The proposed $50-million, five-story, 100,000-square-foot facility will be built at the center of the university’s health campus — a dynamic hub of biomedical research that includes the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Moffitt Cancer Center and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Within the multidisciplinary Institute, USF Health will bring together all the advanced technology and research needed to discover the most effective, creative solutions for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the nation and, according to Florida Vital Statistics 2012, ranks a close second in Florida (narrowly following cancer).  It is also a leading cause of hospitalizations and lost productivity.

“This is landmark day for the University of South Florida and all those in Tampa Bay and the State of Florida who have friends or family affected by heart disease,” USF President Judy Genshaft said. “That is really is most of us, because heart disease is the number one killer in the nation. More than 40,000 in Florida alone die each year from heart disease and countless others are impacted.”

“USF is working tirelessly to make heart disease less of a threat to the health and well-being of our community. Today, we take a huge step forward in our efforts as we begin work on building our new USF Health Heart Institute,” she said. “We’re creating the scientific infrastructure that will make Florida a world leader in combating devastating diseases.”

USF President Judy Genshaft called it a landmark day for the University of South Florida and for all those in Tampa Bay region and the state who have friends or family affected by heart disease.

The project has secured $21.4 million in total funding, with anticipated funding of $30 million needed to complete construction. The State of Florida contributed $19.4 million over the last two years, joined by Hillsborough County, which approved $2 million in funding support last year. In addition, USF plans to invest up to $25 million in resources for genomics-based medicine research and recruitment of faculty.

The facility will include an auditorium, blood sample repository for genetic testing, four core laboratories and office space designed for interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as a clinical care center. The project is expected to attract high-wage jobs, industry partnerships, patents and other products that will advance economic development based on biotechnology.

Built with a community of partners

“From the day we began talking about how USF Health could do more to fight the causes and symptoms of heart disease, we have had an entire community of supporters working with us,” said Harry van Loveren, MD, interim director of the Morsani College of Medicine. “We will accomplish all of this because of their collective efforts.”

Governmental leaders both for the state of Florida and for Hillsborough County as well as community and hospital partners, including Tampa General Hospital and Florida Hospital Tampa and its Pepin Heart Institute, worked with the university to advance the USF Health Heart Institute.

Will Weatherford, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, has championed the USF Health Heart Institute from the beginning.

In particular, President Genshaft recognized the leadership of Will Weatherford, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, for championing the Heart Institute from the beginning.

“The legacy of his work on this project is something that will benefit generations to come,” she said.

Weatherford told the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking that the future site of the USF Health Heart Institute was the “heart” of where innovation was happening on the USF campus and across the Tampa Bay region.

“I can tell you that the Legislature, myself, and the Florida House are committed to seeing this project through — not just funding it, but making sure the resources and policy are embedded around it to make this a world-class institution in Tampa Bay and the State of Florida,” Weatherford said. “I can’t think of anything we will do in this next legislative session that’s going to make a bigger difference for people right here in this community than what we’re doing with this Heart Institute.”

The leadership and scholarly activity of many dedicated physicians and scientists at USF Health, including the USF Health Heart Institute’s acting directors Stephen Liggett, MD, vice dean for research at the Morsani College of Medicine, and Arthur Labovitz, MD, chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, helped lay the foundation for the institute and will navigate  its ongoing work.

Mark Sharpe, chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, said the county was eager to partner with USF on a project that will improve lives and spur economic development.

Mark Sharpe, chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, said the county was excited to partner with USF and invest in the forward-thinking, strategic project that will improve lives and spur economic development.

“We understand that health care is going to drive our state and our region,” Sharpe said. “With the tremendous team and the rock star research here, we’re going to do some great things.”

The future of heart research

The pipeline of new drugs for cardiovascular diseases is relatively dry.  That’s in part because the root causes of heart disease, including molecular and genetic aspects, are largely unknown or are more complex than anticipated, Dr. Liggett said.

The research performed at the Heart Institute will advance the fundamental understanding of cardiovascular diseases and will determine the best ways to apply the novel laboratory findings to benefit patients.

“The new knowledge will lead to new diagnostic tests to identify those at greatest risk for heart disease, so we can begin preventive measures early,” Dr. Liggett said.

The discoveries will also lead to new and improved treatments based on genetic signatures and other biomarkers of disease.  The findings may help guide selection and dosage of existing drugs to reduce side effects and optimize patient outcomes.

Dr. Harry van Loveren, interim dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is interviewed by Mark Schreiner of WUSF University Beat.

The institute will promote what Dr. Liggett calls a “bench-to-bedside-to-bench” approach.

On the bench-to-bedside part of the equation, the institute’s researchers will continually strive to understand the underpinnings of the disease with a focus on direct application to prevention and patient care.  On the bedside-to-bench part, doctors may notice that a new drug undergoing clinical testing for one cardiovascular disease improves another.  This information can be fed back to the laboratory scientists to investigate how the unexpected positive outcome occurs, possibly leading to a new treatment.

“The sharing of basic and clinical research data in both directions can lead to better outcomes,” Dr. Liggett said.

One of the major areas of research emphasized by the institute will be genomics.

“Your DNA already knows if you’re going to have a heart attack and when. Your DNA already knows if one of our drugs will save your life or won’t,” Dr. van Loveren said.  “The heart research that will be done here will unlock the secrets of your personal DNA, see into your future and hopefully change it… Because of what we learn here, your children and my children will live happier and healthier lives.”

University, governmental and community leaders gathered for the groundbreaking  in the heart of the university’s health campus, a dynamic hub of biomedical research.

Raising the profile of region’s cardiovascular care

USF Health recently began its first genomic trial that links DNA analysis from blood samples to the American College of Cardiology’s clinical database of millions of patients with heart disease.

It’s just the start.

The Heart Institute will provide a home for the region’s only academic health center and its hospital partners to study every promising research avenue – from new molecular targets to looking at how differences in individual DNA may affect people’s cardiovascular health to investigating the potential of gene therapy or stem cells to repair a damaged heart.

The focus will be on translating basic science and research discoveries into well-designed clinical trials to improve patient care.

“The collaborative work we do will elevate the level of excellence for cardiovascular diagnostics and care in the Tampa Bay region,” Dr. Labovitz said.

“We will attract leaders in the field and offer patients opportunities to participate in a full range of clinical trials for cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and hypertension.”

– Lisa Greene contributed to this report.

Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications, and video by Joshua Jackson, USF Health Information Systems

Preliminary rendering of the USF Health Heart Institute

L to R: Dr. Stephen Liggett, vice dean of research, Morsani College of Medicine; Dr. Arthur Labovitz, chair of Department of Cardiovascular Sciences; Dr. Donna Petersen, interim senior vice president for USF Health and dean, USF College of Public Health; Will Weatherford, speaker of the Florida House of Reprsentatives; and USF President Judy Genshaft.

University, governmental and community leaders, as well as hospital partners, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Dr. Petersen, left, with Dr. Kevin Sneed, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy

USF Health leaders chat with, at right, Tom and Lauren Pepin.

The USF ambassadors were on hand to greet guests.

L to R: Mark Sharpe, chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners; John Ramil, chair of the USF Board of Trustees; and Brian Lamb, USF BOT member.

USF President Judy Genshaft with Nancy Watkins, a member of the USF Board of Trustees.

The institute will change the future of heart health by bringing together the latest research with the best cardiovascular care.

An impressive team of community and hospital partners worked with USF to help make the vision of the USF Health Heart Institute a reality.

L to R: Steve Blair, associate vice president and chief development officer for USF Health, with Lauren and Tom Pepin