In a landmark development for medical education and global philanthropy, Orlando Health Sciences University in Florida has been officially renamed Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel Global University (KPGU). The historic renaming honors the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Kiran C. Patel and Dr. Pallavi Patel, whose lifelong commitment to healthcare, education, and service has reshaped medical training across continents.
University leaders say the move is far more than symbolic. It represents a decisive step toward positioning the institution as a globally connected hub for health sciences education, research, and clinical excellence—serving Central Florida while extending its reach worldwide.
“Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel embody the spirit of service and visionary leadership that is foundational to our institution,” said Chad Toujague, chair of the KPGU Board. “By carrying their name, we honor their legacy as the most significant philanthropists in the osteopathic profession and reaffirm our commitment to the highest standards of education and patient care for generations to come.”
A name that reflects a global mission
The university’s new identity underscores an expanded ambition: to evolve into a world-class medical and health sciences university with a strong global footprint. According to academic leaders, the Patels’ philanthropic support has accelerated the institution’s growth at a critical moment in its development.
“Naming the university after Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel reflects our advancement toward becoming a world-class health professional university,” said Robert T. Hasty, DO, dean of the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) and chief academic officer of KPGU. “With their significant contributions, KPGU is poised to develop into a truly global university whose impact will continue to grow in perpetuity.”
OCOM will remain a core academic pillar within KPGU, focused on training future physicians grounded in osteopathic principles, innovation, and compassionate care.
The Patels’ vision: education without borders
For Dr. Kiran Patel and Dr. Pallavi Patel, the renaming is both an honor and a reaffirmation of their belief in education as a transformative force.
“My wife, Pallavi, and I are profoundly honored by this recognition,” Dr. Patel said. “Our commitment to the osteopathic profession and to the Central Florida community—and beyond—is immense.”
He emphasized the global scale of their educational efforts, noting that Patel Institutes in India and the United States currently graduate more than 1,000 physicians each year.
“This scale mandates a cohesive and collaborative partnership between our Indian university and the newly established KPGU in the United States,” he said. “KPGU represents a bold global vision for healthcare education and will set a new international standard for excellence.”
University leaders believe this cross-continental model will prepare physicians to address diverse medical challenges, from non-communicable diseases to global public health crises.
Training doctors for a growing world
KPGU’s leadership has outlined an ambitious long-term outlook, linking medical education to global demographic realities.
“Our university will be uniquely positioned to train physicians across multiple continents,” Dr. Patel said. “This will better prepare them to tackle the wide variety of pathologies seen around the world.”
He added that with the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2076, Patel Institutes expect to have trained more than 50,000 physicians by that time—collectively impacting over one billion lives annually.
Closer to home, KPGU remains deeply invested in Central Florida. University officials have identified 2028 as a milestone year, when the first OCOM class is expected to graduate alongside the institution achieving full accreditation.
A philanthropic legacy that reshaped Florida education
Few individuals have influenced medical education in Florida as profoundly as the Patels. In 2017, their $200 million gift to Nova Southeastern University became one of the largest educational donations in state history, leading to the creation of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences.
Their philanthropy also extends to the University of South Florida, where initiatives such as the Patel College of Global Sustainability and the Patel Charter School for Underprivileged Children reflect their commitment to long-term societal impact.
“It was important to create institutions that would exist in perpetuity,” Dr. Patel has said, “educating students and scholars who can dramatically change the world.”
Serving underserved communities
Central to the Patels’ mission is expanding access to medical education for students from underserved regions.
“A key goal is to train doctors who can return to their home countries and serve communities that lack adequate healthcare,” Dr. Patel has emphasized.
Through scholarships, global exchange programs, and clinical training opportunities, KPGU aims to attract students from the United States, India, Africa, and beyond. The Patels’ work also includes building a 120-acre university campus in India and supporting health and education initiatives in Zambia, Dr. Patel’s birthplace.
Looking ahead
The renaming of Orlando Health Sciences University to Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel Global University marks a defining moment in the institution’s history. More than a tribute, it signals a future rooted in global collaboration, service-driven education, and transformative impact.
As KPGU embarks on this new chapter, university leaders and community stakeholders agree on one thing: the Patels’ legacy will continue to shape medical education—and lives—around the world.
