In a unanimous vote, the Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees (DBOT) recently named a new fitness facility the Rao Musunuru, M.D. Cardio Center at the college’s West Campus in New Port Richey. The tribute recognizes the renowned cardiologist’s 22 years of service on the board and his generous contributions to the PHSC Foundation. Most recently, Dr. Musunuru secured significant matching funds for the PHSC Foundation and established several new scholarship endowments.

“The new Rao Musunuru, M.D. Cardio Center at PHSC is an ideal tribute to a physician who has dedicated his career to caring for the cardiovascular health of the community,” said Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D., PHSC President. “The beautiful, newly equipped Rao Musunuru, M.D. Cardio Center encourages students, faculty and staff to get fit and stay heart-healthy.”

Dr. Musunuru, of New Port Richey, a nationally-recognized board certified cardiologist, has been serving the residents of Pasco and Hernando counties since 1981. He has served as chief of medicine, chief of staff, chairman of continuing medical education and chair of the board of trustees at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson. He has been an active American Heart Association volunteer since 1979 and is a past recipient of numerous, prestigious recognitions including the AHA National Chairman’s Award, National Physician of the Year Award, and National Volunteer Advocate of the Year Award. In 2012, he received the state of Florida Education Commissioners’ Business Recognition Award and in 2013 he was honored with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award. Dr. Musunuru has served on the PHSC DBOT since 1999. The Musunuru Family Foundation has established numerous student scholarships and purchased of state-of-the-art instructional medical equipment for the college’s health care programs throughout the years.

“Exercise plays a key role in mental and physical health and it is particularly important for students to balance studies with fitness,” said Dr. Musunuru. “I am deeply appreciative that this impressive new fitness facility has been named in my honor.”

Dr. Musunuru’s dedication and generosity to PHSC through the years was also recognized with the naming of the Rao Musunuru, M.D. Conference Center at the Spring Hill Campus and the Rao Musunuru, M.D. Art Gallery at the West Campus in New Port Richey.