Rep. Toledo Helps Secure $12.4M To Complete USF Medical School

TAMPA, FL -- State Rep. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa) has helped secure $12.4 million in the state budget for the completion of the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa.

The medical school’s new 13-story building within the Water Street area is currently under construction and expected to be completed later this year.

“The medical school will be a downtown anchor and an economic engine that transforms Tampa,” Toledo said. “Hundreds of thousands of lives will be touched in a positive way when the school is complete. From those conducting research now to the future generation of doctors and health care professionals trained at the school who will then go out and care for others, this is a remarkable achievement and I’m proud we have secured the funding to complete the project.”

When it opens, the new USF medical school will be home to 1,800 students, researchers and faculty.

“The new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa will be a critical economic driver for our state as we shape the next generation of health care professionals,” said USF President Judy Genshaft. “We are grateful to all our supporters, and especially to our leaders in the Florida Legislature, for bringing this critical project to fruition.”

Construction began in 2017 with a total cost of $172 million.

Toledo thanked state Rep. Chris Sprowls (R-Palm Harbor) and the Florida House leadership for helping ensure the funding was included in the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.