The Board of Directors of the institution formerly known as Orlando Health Sciences University has officially announced a significant transformation with the adoption of a new name, Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel University, abbreviated as KPGU. The university is the parent institution of the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, Florida’s newest medical school. This decision recognizes the exceptional philanthropic impact of Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, who are widely regarded as the most influential benefactors within the osteopathic medical community.
University leadership stated that the new name reflects the institution’s evolving mission to emerge as a globally respected center for health sciences education while continuing to serve Central Florida. Chad Toujague, Chair of the KPGU Board, said the Patels represent visionary leadership and a lifelong commitment to service. He noted that naming the university after them signals a long-term dedication to academic excellence, clinical training, and the future of medical education.
Robert T. Hasty, Dean of the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine and Chief Academic Officer of KPGU, emphasized that the renaming marks a critical step toward building a world-class health professions university. He highlighted that the Patels are among the most significant contributors to higher education in Florida, and their support positions KPGU to expand its global footprint and academic influence for generations.
Responding to the announcement, Dr. Kiran C. Patel said he and his wife were deeply honored by the recognition. He explained that their commitment extends across institutions in both India and the United States, where more than 1,000 physicians currently graduate each year from Patel-affiliated institutes. He described KPGU as a platform for global collaboration, designed to produce compassionate doctors equipped to serve diverse populations worldwide.
The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine will continue to operate as a core academic unit under the KPGU structure, maintaining its mission to train skilled and empathetic physicians. The name change further reinforces OCOM’s ambition to achieve world-class status while remaining grounded in community-focused healthcare education.
Looking ahead, Dr. Patel outlined a long-term vision in which physicians trained across multiple continents gain broader clinical exposure. He projected that by 2076, Patel Institutes could have 50,000 physicians practicing globally, collectively impacting over 1 billion lives each year. KPGU also reaffirmed its commitment to Central Florida, with 2028 expected to mark the graduation of OCOM’s first class and the achievement of full accreditation, solidifying the university’s role in the region’s medical and educational future.
