The University of South Florida announced today it has received a $10 million gift from Taneja Family Foundation to name the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy.
The donation, made through the USF Foundation, is the largest philanthropic gift to a pharmacy school in the state of Florida.
“This is a landmark day for the University of South Florida and our College of Pharmacy,” said USF President Steve Currall. “The Tanejas are investing in our vision to build a world-class health care system that will benefit generations to come. We are incredibly grateful for their passion for education, their generosity and for the transformative impact they will make on the lives of so many in the future.
The USF Health College of Pharmacy was established by the Florida Board of Governors in 2009 and welcomed its charter class in August 2011. From the start, the pharmacy program set out to build an innovative program that would be a pacesetter in both pharmacy curriculum and clinical experience. Since opening to the charter class of 53 students, the college has steadily progressed with key accreditation and academic milestones. Today, the Taneja College of Pharmacy welcomes 100 new students each year for its PharmD program, and has expanded its offerings to include master’s degrees suited for students interested in pursuing a professional degree program, an advanced degree, a degree focused on research, or a degree for those interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry.
USF also announced today that as result of the gift, the Taneja College of Pharmacy will move into the new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute facility under construction in downtown Tampa. The building is scheduled to open in late 2019, with pharmacy students tentatively expected to start classes there in fall of 2021.
“We have seen many amazing philanthropists take our colleges and programs to the next level,” said Joel Momberg, USF Foundation CEO and senior vice president of advancement and alumni relations. “It is our honor to recognize such donors and their incredible support by lending their names to the colleges and programs they hold dear. Thank you to the Tanejas for their heartfelt gift in support of our students, USF, and our community.”
“Jugal and Manju support philanthropic efforts across this region and are keenly aware that their gift supports more than brick and mortar, but also innovative approaches to pharmacy education, research and clinical care,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “We are honored they chose us, chose Dr. Sneed and chose our USF Health College of Pharmacy for their gift. We are also thrilled that the Taneja College of Pharmacy will move into our new facility in downtown Tampa, sharing intellectual and innovative space with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, our Heart Institute, and our close partner Tampa General Hospital. Imagine the possibilities with these programs under one roof.”
Already a leader for attracting Florida’s best pharmacy students, the appeal of USF’s pharmacy school will grow greater with this philanthropic endorsement, said Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, dean of the Taneja College of Pharmacy and senior associate vice president for USF Health.
“We’ve become a much sought-after program, a destination for those seeking an amazing, forward-thinking pharmacy program,” Dr. Sneed said. “The generosity of the Taneja family and their incredible support for what we already provide our students will elevate our program further and help us continue to revolutionize health through empowerment and innovation.”
The gift marks a huge milestone for the young school and validates the innovative education experience offered to USF pharmacy students, he said.