The University of South Florida in Tampa has announced a $10 million gift from the Taneja Family Foundation in support of the USF Health College of Pharmacy.

The gift from Jugal and Manju Taneja — the largest ever to a pharmacy school in Florida — will help fund the college's move to the new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute facility currently under construction in downtown Tampa. In recognition of the gift, the college will be renamed the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy.

The college, which welcomed its charter class of fifty-three students in 2011, now enrolls a hundred new students each year in its Doctor of Pharmacy degree program and has expanded its offerings to include master's degrees for students interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry. A healthcare industry veteran, Jugal Taneja is a managing member at Belcher Pharmaceuticals.

"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, senior vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "We are honored they chose us, chose [College of Pharmacy dean Kevin B.] 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."

(Photo credit: University of South Florida)