MUSC College of Health Professions celebrates groundbreaking of fourth building

College receives largest-ever philanthropic gift and $7.8 million NIH grant for new research center

Charleston, S.C. (Dec. 1, 2023) ­– The Medical University of South Carolina College of Health Professions (CHP) broke ground today on the college’s new six-story building: CHP-D. The building, located at 74 President St., is the college’s fourth and will house education and research facilities. Construction begins this month with a projected completion date of fall 2025.

“This groundbreaking has been at least four years in the making to accommodate the college's rapid growth,” said Dean Zoher Kapasi, PT, Ph.D. “Over the past five years, we have seen a 37% increase in students, and we will continue to grow in support of our vision to improve the health of the citizens of South Carolina and beyond by training the next generation of health professionals, scientists and leaders.” 

The building represents a significant investment in the college’s future, supported in part by the generosity of Charleston residents Tina and Ricky Doscher. During the ceremony, Kapasi announced their $10 million transformational gift – the largest in the college’s history – and extended his deepest gratitude to the couple. “We honor and recognize the Doschers today. Their philanthropy is the cornerstone to this new building,” said Kapasi. He went on to share that the lobby of the new building would be named in the Doschers’ honor in recognition of their gift. 

Their donation supports the dean’s priorities, research and the MUSC Neurological Exercise & Training (NExT) Wellness Center, an accessible place for individuals with neurological conditions to participate in regular exercise; practice other aspects of wellness, like mental health and emotional well-being; and build community with people who share similar experiences. 

The Doschers’ decision to support research and physical therapy at the college was a personal one. In 2010, Tina underwent spinal cord surgery that saved her life but left her temporarily paralyzed. She credits physical therapy at MUSC with helping her to walk again. She has also participated in research studies at the college that have improved her mobility. “There are many worthy nonprofits, but a gift to help provide lifesaving technology and treatments that continue to save lives many years down the road is the best gift of all,” she shared.

The top two floors of the CHP-D building will house the new Clinical Research Center for Restoration of Neural-Based Function in the Real World (RENEW). The research space, funded by a $7.8 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awarded to Steven Kautz, Ph.D., will support statewide studies to advance care for individuals who have experienced a stroke or other neurological conditions. 

“Consistent with the new MUSC research strategic plan pillar in neural circuits and therapeutic neuromodulation, the RENEW Center will advance a deep understanding of the neural circuits supporting physical and psychosocial function and their restoration after injury, disease or aging to provide a mechanistic basis for interventions designed to maximize functioning in the real world,” said provost Lisa Saladin, PT., Ph.D., in her remarks. 

MUSC President David Cole, M.D., FACS, and Saladin joined Kapasi, the Doschers and CHP department chairpersons in breaking ground for the new building. “This groundbreaking, this building, also represents our commitment to the future,” said Cole. “To assure that future generations of students with a heart for health care will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a world-class education.”

To stay up to date on the building construction and future events, visit chp.musc.edu/dbuilding

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About the College of Health Professions

Established in 1966, the College of Health Professions (CHP) is one of the six colleges at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). The college’s vision is to improve the health of populations by developing and inspiring health scientists and leaders. The college is home to 13 academic degree programs, ranging from the baccalaureate to doctoral level, several of which are ranked in the top 30 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to academics, CHP maintains a robust research portfolio, including stroke recovery, spinal cord injury, health services and neurologic and orthopedic rehabilitation. The college was awarded $13.9 million in research grant funding for fiscal year 2023 and is ranked No. 3 in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among colleges of health professions for the federal 2023 fiscal year. For more information about our academic programs and research, visit chp.musc.edu. 

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a unique mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates more than 3,200students in six colleges– Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy – and trains more than900residents and fellows in its health system.MUSC brought in more than $298million in research funds in fiscal year 2022, leadingthe stateoverall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state infederal and National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $220 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 16 hospitals (includes owned and equity stake), with approximately 2,700 beds and four additional hospital locations in development; more than 350 telehealth sites and connectivity to patients’ homes; and nearly 750 care locations situated in all regions of South Carolina. In 2022, for the eighth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $5.9 billion. The nearly 26,000 MUSC family members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, students, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.