With the expansion of Downtown Tampa comes the addition of USF’s newest medical school, The USF Morsani College of Medicine. The facility, which commenced building earlier this fall, will serve not only as a medical school but as a cardiovascular research institute.
CooperativeMed founder and USF graduate Dr. Michael O’Neal is of those who are eager to see the progress made by the new medical school. He recently attended USF’s Investing in Discovery event held on October 11th at AJA Channelside. The event was held by Charles Lockwood, M.D. to discuss the USF expansion at Water Street Tampa.
As a proud alumnus of USF and engaged member of the Tampa Bay community, Dr. O’Neal gave his thoughts on the significance of the Investing in Discovery event and his excitement for the new medical school.
“The relocation of USF’s medical school will allow for better proximity to the main teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital, allowing for more hands-on learning opportunities and a more realistic learning environment for medical students,” says Dr. O’Neal. He says that being downtown in the heart of Tampa and in the middle of all the action will only serve to benefit those in the medical field.
Dr. O’Neal emphasized how the new campus will be equipped with high-tech equipment which is sure to attract only the highest quality students who are eager to grow in a modern learning environment. The ultimate goal is for USF-COM to be seen as one of our nation’s top-tier medical schools.
Aside from the benefits the new location brings for USF, Downtown Tampa will reap their fair share as well. Dr. O’Neal believes the urban setting of the facility will change the culture of downtown, filling the area with medical students and young professionals who will be looking to make a home out of the area. The influx will transform Downtown Tampa into a lively hub capable of catering to the needs of young talent as well as health professionals.
Dr. O’Neal gives credit to the current leadership of USF-COM, including Charles Lockwood, M.D., as being key variables to the evolution and advancement of the school that will allow USF to keep pace with the nation’s best medical training facilities.
In regards to the Investing in Discovery event, Dr. O’Neal is satisfied with the direction USF is heading in. “As a physician having trained at one of USF’s residency programs, I am proud of the new progressive attitude of the school and administration.”
