College of Health Professions groundbreaking provides gift for innovative technology, treatments and learning

Innovative rehabilitative care following a lifechanging medical diagnosis inspired Charleston locals Tina Doscher and her husband Ricky Doscher to donate the largest philanthropic gift ever to the MUSC College of Health Professions.

On Dec. 1, the Doschers joined University and college leaders to break ground for 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 of 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 the Doschers. 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,” Tina Doscher shared.

According to executive vice president of Academic Affairs and provost Lisa Saladin, PT, Ph.D., the College of Health Professions ranks No. 3 in the country for National Institutes of Health research funding. 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 will be funded by a $7.8 million NIH grant awarded to Steven Kautz, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Health Sciences and Research in the college. Kautz 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 Saladin. 

MUSC President David Cole, M.D., FACS, Saladin and Kapasi joined the Doschers and CHP department chairpersons for the groundbreaking. “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.