Senator Rick Scott
Tampa, FL (April 6, 2020) – USF Health received a generous boost today to its Pandemic Research & Response Fund with a donation from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who donated $35,000 toward USF Health’s effort to fight COVID-19, a pandemic that has affected the lives of millions across the globe.
Sen. Scott donated the second quarter of his senate salary to the fund, which aims to help USF Health fight the coronavirus and prevent, treat and train for a pandemic response.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis. We, as Americans, have to come together to innovatively adapt and solve problems, and that’s exactly what USF Health is doing. Their work to quickly develop Coronavirus testing supplies with 3-D printing technology will help us ramp up testing efforts nationwide and curb the spread of the Coronavirus NOW. I’m grateful to USF Health and all the incredible businesses, individuals and organizations across our state and nation doing their part to end the Coronavirus, and I encourage every American to follow their lead. Together, we can beat this.”
The USF Health Pandemic Research & Response Fund launched just last week, setting into motion a coordinated effort for supporting the work of multidisciplinary teams across USF Health who are studying every aspect of the virus – from its cellular structure to its greater community and public health impact.
“Senator Scott’s generosity is especially welcome at this critical time,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, USF Health senior vice president and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “His gift will have an immediate impact on our fight against COVID-19 as we work to generate more COVID-19 testing kits, conduct research on alternative treatments, and care for patients in our region.”
The USF Health Pandemic Research & Response Fund was created thanks to a generous donor, Mary T. Pipino, who made the $25,000 inaugural gift. The fund supports research including clinical trials, research and immediate patient care resources to address the coronavirus threat.
For example, USF Health researchers in the Departments of Radiology and Infectious Diseases made national headlines last month when they collaborated with a New York health care system to create 3D printed nasal swabs to diminish the nasal swab shortage felt on the frontlines of testing for COVID-19.