Tampa, FL (May 3, 2006) – Chris Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, has given $2 million to USF Health Dermatology to create The Neil Alan Fenske MD Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Chair at the University of South Florida.  The state will match his gift to create a $4 million endowment that supports the advancement of dermatological initiatives.

"USF Health is focused on superior quality, education, and service to patients" said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, vice president for USF Health and dean of the College of Medicine. "Certainly, Dermatology has been a leader in this area and a chaired position will further demonstrate our excellence in this specialty."

The USF Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, under the leadership of Neil A. Fenske, MD, is nationally recognized for its expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of general skin disorders. Mr. Sullivan's gift is instrumental in transforming the division into a department, which will take effect July 1, 2006.  Once department status is finalized, Dr. Fenske will assume the chair position. 

Dr. Fenske is a widely-recognized expert on skin cancer, aging, and psoriasis.  "The skin is the largest organ of the body and the first to show signs of aging" said Dr. Fenske, professor and division director of USF Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. "The population growth, especially elderly retirees, coupled with the intense sun exposure in this region constantly increases the need for dermatological care."

Dr. Fenske will use the endowed chair to facilitate USF Health's long-term research goals, enhance educational outcomes for students and residents, and increase access to quality care for area patients and referring community physicians. 

The USF Dermatopathology Laboratory is one of the top referral labs in the Southeastern United States.  For more information on USF Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, please visit http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine/internalmedicine/dermatology

- USF Health -

USF Health is the University of South Florida's enterprise of researchers, teachers and clinicians dedicated to improving the full continuum of health. Its core is the colleges of Public Health, Nursing and Medicine, including a School of Physical Therapy, as well as the healthcare delivered by its 450 physicians and more than 100 nurse practitioners. In partnership with its affiliated hospitals, USF Health's research funding last year was $134 million -- more than half of which came from federal sources. Last year, USF health clinicians cared for more than 31,000 patients and oversaw 396,000 outpatient visits.