Media Contacts: University of South Florida, Michael Hoad, Associate VP Health Sciences Advancement, (813) 974-3300, or Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute, Phoebe Ochman, Public Relations Manager, (813) 615-7074
University of South Florida & Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute Build New Partnership for Heart Health
TAMPA, Fla. (June 2, 2005)---The University of South Florida (USF) and the Pepin Heart Hospital & Dr. Kiran C. Patel Research Institute announced a new partnership for research, clinical care and education.
"We are excited about working with the Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute (PHHRI) to widen research, clinical care and educational opportunities in the Tampa Bay region," said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, vice president for health sciences and dean of the College of Medicine at USF. "The partnership will result in great opportunities for patients, especially those individuals with cardiovascular disease."
"Working closely with GE Healthcare to showcase Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute as the third all-digital hospital in the nation, the Southeastern United States will look to us as the place that has advanced a new generation of cardiovascular care," said Norm Stein, president of University Community Health. "And now our newly formed relationship with USF will be another key milestone in this region's development of a biosciences industry cluster."
"This is a historic, groundbreaking collaboration between our two institutions…we have joined forces for a meaningful purpose," continued Dr. Bob Anderson, chairman of the University Community Hospital Board of Directors.
The USF/PHHRI agreement establishes two residency programs: one focuses on interventional cardiology and the other on electrophysiology. "This agreement will allow rigorous exploration and promotion of leading edge therapy options for physicians and patients; furthering scientific knowledge in the prevention, treatment and management of cardiovascular disease; and educating Tampa Bay area physicians," said Dr. Kevin Klein, cardiologist with Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute.
"This new relationship with Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute joins our existing hospital affiliations, allowing USF to create an academic hub for the region," Dr. Klasko added. "These new fellowships and residencies integrate with our existing programs at Tampa General—in fact, they wouldn't be possible without TGH."
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The University of South Florida Health Sciences Center is composed of the colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health and united by one mission "to advance collaborative learning and discovery leading to improved health in our community." USF has major affiliations with the area's teaching and research hospitals, providing an important diversity of educational experiences. In partnership with its affiliated hospitals, the Health Sciences Center's research funding jumped 21 percent last year to $145.4 million — more than half of which came from federal sources.
University Community Health is a network of hospitals, which was created to reflect the combined strength and partnership achieved through the union of University Community Hospital (UCH) and UCH-Carrollwood in Tampa, Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs, and Sun Coast Hospital in Largo. University Community Hospital is a regional health care leader committed to providing the community with safe, knowledgeable, compassionate care and a comprehensive range of services. Coming in 2005, the Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute will combine the latest technological breakthroughs with the vision for advanced, safe cardiovascular care. Pepin Heart Hospital & Research Institute is located at 3100 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Fla., (813) 971-6000.