Five years ago, the University of South Florida’s College of Engineering and the Morsani College of Medicine partnered to advance the growing field of biomedical engineering by jointly creating the Department of Medical Engineering. Now, a $6 million gift from an alumna will further assist with its mission to improve patient care by conducting innovative research, developing impactful technologies and training students for success as multidisciplinary global leaders.
“We are so grateful to this alumna for honoring their experience at the University of South Florida by giving back in this way,” USF President Rhea Law said. “Their gift will help USF expand its research in biomedical engineering and further prepare the next generation of scientists, clinicians and engineers for successful careers in this high-demand field.”
The funds (which list USF as beneficiary) will help strengthen the bond between interdisciplinary medical and engineering teams, to address some of the most pressing issues of human health. This gift is the largest individual contribution in the College of Engineering’s history.
“USF is the reason I have the money to give,” said the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. “This university did an excellent job preparing me for success. The company where I went to work sent recruiters strategically to USF because of its continued reputation for graduating exceptional talent. If that link had not occurred, I would not be in the position I am to give back today.”
Established with funding from the State of Florida’s preeminence program, the Department of Medical Engineering provides a unique opportunity for students to study and learn in a transdisciplinary environment and gain a keen understanding of the indispensable link between engineering and medicine. “We are educating the next generation of engineering students to fill the critical need for biomedical expertise both in Florida and throughout the United States,” said Robert Bishop, dean of the College of Engineering.
“We are so grateful that this USF graduate has chosen to create such a powerful legacy through her estate,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of its Morsani College of Medicine. “We are seeing rapid progress and innovation in this emerging field, and her gift will help us find new approaches to solve health problems.”
“I think that this is the frontier for healthy lives in the future,” said the donor. “If the biomedical engineering major was an option when I was a student at USF, I would have jumped at the chance to pursue it. As humans age and medicine and engineering make advances, there are new opportunities to help people live happy healthy lives for as long as they are meant to be in this world.”
“This selfless investment in USF students and faculty creates limitless potential for advances in biomedical engineering,” said USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman. “The gift also amplifies the momentum of another recent investment in biomedical engineering. Earlier this year former USF Board of Trustees chair, John Ramil, and his wife, Naida, gave $1 million to endow the chair of the Department of Medical Engineering. The work of this department is so important for our society and these investments will provide lasting benefits well into the future.”
This gift coincides with National Estate Planning Week (October 17-23). More information on how the USF Foundation is celebrating can be found here. To help further support the Department of Medical Engineering, visit here.