10/15/2026
🏥 In 1987, Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco founded the St. Joseph's Heart Institute, Florida's first comprehensive cardiovascular center.
His vision was to bring patient care, research, education, and innovation together under one roof, right here in Tampa. He led the Institute as its director until 1997, working alongside colleagues like Dr. Henry McIntosh, who would later bring Heartbeat International, now ForHearts Worldwide, to the Institute.
🌳 Today, a Kos Plane tree is rooted on the St. Joseph's Hospital campus, recalling the tradition that Hippocrates taught beneath a Plane tree on Kos. On Oct. 29, a statue of Hippocrates will be dedicated in Dr. Maniscalco's memory.
💙 The Benedict S. Maniscalco, M.D. Legacy Fund will support a new patient care initiative for uninsured and underinsured cardiovascular patients in the Tampa Bay community, in partnership with BayCare Foundation.
❤️ Honor his legacy. Continue his care.
👉 Give or start a fundraising page: givebutter.com/Legacy-Donate