In a prominent effort to build a new education, research and training facility, USF awarded All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg over 1.4 acres of land.
The collaboration between USF Health –a partnership of several USF health science colleges and the All Children’s Hospital’s– was considered a valuable move for the university. USF Health medical undergraduates, graduates and postdoctorates are expected to see a strengthened pediatric residency program and have access to more opportunities in the health science field.
Corresponding with the pediatric hospital, the new facility will emphasize research in pediatric care and the development of treatments and cures for childhood diseases.
2.02 acres of land was originally donated to USF by the state of Florida in April 2014, but USF was required to have the land transferred to the St. Petersburg hospital by June 30, 2014. USF and All Children’s Hospital are obliged to start construction within 10 years of the deed.
The facility will be approximately 300,000 square feet and cost around $65 million to $85 million, according to Flgov.com. The online Florida state records also highlights the 400 design and construction jobs that the facility will generate, and at least 20 new high-paying research and other faculty positions once the location is established.
The land transferred is located across the street from the existing All Children’s Research Institute at 601 4th St. S, and next to the Outpatient Care Center.
USF President Judy Genshaft spoke of the collaboration back in June 2014.
“We are excited about the economic development and health care impact that this project will have in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region, especially for the youngest members of our community,” she said. “We remain committed to partnering with All Children’s Hospital on projects like these that can improve health outcomes and quality of care, and we thank Governor Scott, the Florida Cabinet and our legislative leaders for their support for this critical initiative.”
The new facility, which will accompany the other USF Health and All Children’s properties, will be less than a mile from USF St. Petersburg, which has seen a considerable growth in biology and health science majors.
Although the land transfer was carried out by USF Tampa, USFSP senior Kelly Stefanski is optimistic for her home campus.
“This would really help our science community at USFSP grow by introducing students to a research facility they can gain experience at that will enhance their overall education,” she said.
By making connections with researchers, Stefanski was able to conduct research at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa as part of her required undergraduate biology research credit at USFSP.
Though she will be graduating soon, she hopes USFSP and All Children’s Hospital can form a partnership in the future for biology and other related majors to benefit from a new facility so close to USFSP.
“This could potentially create research internships for students that they didn’t previously have much access to,” she said. “It will give students a better idea of what they want to do. With my research background from Moffitt Cancer Center, I feel more confident with my skill set and have a better idea of where I would like to see myself in the biology field after graduation.”
The project currently remains in the planning stages. But with a required commencement date set, construction is sure to begin soon.
