Published February 12, 2014

Dr. Rao Musunuru, a nationally recognized local cardiologist received an unprecedented recognition by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County proclaiming February 1st , the first day of heart month, as the “Dr. Rao Musunuru Day” in Pasco County in recognition of his exemplary medical, scientific, humanitarian, advocacy, educational and philanthropic contributions at local, state and national levels for more than three decades.

A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, proclaiming February 1st  as the “Dr. Rao Musunuru Day” in recognition of his exemplary medical, scientific, humanitarian, advocacy, educational, and philanthropic contributions at local, state, and national levels for more than three decades.

Whereas, Dr. Rao Musunuru has called Pasco County his home since 1981.

Whereas, Dr. Rao Musunuru was instrumental in transforming a 50-bed rural hospital into a 290-bed Heart Institute at Bayonet Point/Hudson Regional Medical Center that received recognition by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 50 in the nation, which put Pasco County on the map for World Class Medical Care.

Whereas, Dr. Rao Musunuru has been an active American Heart Association volunteer since 1979, serving as Florida Affiliate President in 2002-2003 and receiving National Chairman’s Award in 2003, National Physician Of The Year award in 2005 and National Voluntary Advocate Of The Year award in 2007 in recognition of his “outstanding and longstanding efforts to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases at state and national levels.”

Whereas, Dr. Rao Musunuru has received Outstanding Citizen Of The Year award from West Pasco Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and crowned as King Pithla of Chasco Fiesta in 2010 for being a Committed Community Volunteer.

Whereas, a tribute was entered in honor of Dr. Musunuru into the Journal of the House of Representatives, State of Florida (House Resolution 9213) on May 4, 2005 and also into Official Congressional Record during the first session of the 112th Congress of United States on 01/06/11, for his endless dedication to serve humanity.

Whereas, he received Pride in the Profession Award from the American Medical Association in 2001, Physician Humanitarian Award from Florida Medical Business in 2003, Everyday Hero Award from Bay News 9 in 2005, Florida Board of Medicine Chairman’s Recognition award in 2006, Lifetime Achievement Award of Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2007 Healthcare Heroes, Outstanding Physician Award presented by the President of the Florida Medical Association in 2010 for his passion and compassion for patient care.

Whereas, he is recognized by the Education Commissioner of the state of Florida for his volunteer work to support homeless students in 2012 and received Southern Regional Trustee Leadership Award from National Association of College Trustees in 2013 for his innovative work having served effectively on the board of trustees for Pasco-Hernando Community College since 1999. 

Whereas, he received 2008 Point of Light Award from the Governor of the State of Florida for outstanding volunteerism and community service and Frist Humanitarian Award from Health Corporation of America in 2008 and 2009.

Whereas, he was named Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2009 and 2010.

Whereas, he received 2012 Philanthropist Of The Year Award from Association of Fundraising Professionals, Nature Coast Chapter and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

Whereas, he received Service To Seniors award from Florida Council on Aging in 2005 and All Time Top Donor Recognition from CARES.

Whereas, he supports arts (Rao Musunuru Art Gallery at PHCC), history (Rao Musunuru, M.D. museum and library of W.P.H.S.) in addition to education (Rao Musunuru, M.D. Conference Center at RMCBP), and elderly activities (Rao Musunuru, M.D. Enrichment Center at CARES) in Pasco County. 

Whereas, he serves on many local boards for charitable organizations like Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Pasco Homeless Advisory Board, West Pasco Historical Society, CARES, and Good Samaritan Free Health Clinic, to help the vulnerable-the young, the elderly, the poor, the sick, the hungry, the homeless, disabled, disadvantaged and indigent through his constant caring and sharing.

Whereas, he served the scientific and research community by serving as a Council Member for National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH and on the National Leadership Committee of the Clinical Cardiology Council of the American Heart Association. 

Whereas, Dr. Musunuru continually serves the community at large by teaching and preaching through his medical, social, and philosophical guest columns in major newspapers and lectures stressing the importance of proper prevention and prompt intervention for people to live longer and stronger.

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED  by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, in regular session duly assembled that said Board hereby proclaims February 1st as the “Dr. Rao Musunuru Day” in Pasco County in recognition of his exemplary medical,  scientific,  humanitarian, advocacy, educational, and philanthropic contributions at local, state, and national levels for more than three decades.

DONE AND RESOLVED this 28th day of January, 2014

ATTEST:                                                        BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA

PAULA S. O’NEIL, Ph. D.,  CLERK & COMPTROLLER

JACK MARIANO,  CHAIRMAN 

THEODORE J. SCHRADER, DISTRICT 1 

HENRY WILSON,  VICE CHAIRMAN 

PAT MULIERI, Ed.D., DISTRICT 2

KATHRYN STARKEY, DISTRICT 3

This article was originally published in the Tampa Bay Newswire: