$3M gift from Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum establishes endowed chair in neurosurgery at USF Health

President Emerita Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum's $3 million gift establishes endowed chair and supports neurosurgery faculty, research and resident education at USF

April 20, 2026
by Molly Urnek

USF President Emerita Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum, have once again invested in the future of health care, this time with a gift of $3 million to benefit the USF Health Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine. Their gift establishes the Genshaft and Greenbaum Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery and supports current chair Dr. Harry van Loveren - and future department chairs - in keeping USF at the forefront of neurosurgical care, discovery and training.

"We invest in excellence, and we have complete confidence that Dr. van Loveren will steward this gift in the best possible way, not only as an exceptional clinician, but also as a champion for the continued advancement of the Morsani College of Medicine and USF," Genshaft says.
Van Loveren caught Genshaft's attention soon after he joined USF in 2002, when she took the opportunity to shadow him as he performed complex brain surgery. While he and other medical professionals huddled around the patient, she watched intently on a screen nearby, astounded by his skill and professionalism.

"I worried all night about the patient, and asked Dr. van Loveren if she made it through," says Genshaft. "And he said, 'Of course she did.' From then on, we really got along."

Van Loveren has built a strong reputation for taking some of the most difficult cases, many of which other neurosurgeons feel are outside their scope. His exceptional technical precision paired with his abundant humanity made him stand out to Genshaft.

"People come to him from across the country because he is a highly skilled, renowned neurosurgeon," she says. "He also cares deeply about his patients, calling them morning and night to check in."

As chair for the past 23 years, van Loveren has rebuilt the neurosurgery department, expanded the faculty to 27 world-class neurosurgeons, strengthened residency training and helped grow the medical school and relocate it to downtown Tampa. He also served as the school's interim dean for a short period, an opportunity championed by Genshaft.

"He's emblematic of what USF is, which is that individuals make a difference here," says Greenbaum. "One person can really be the change."

Van Loveren plans to use the funds to support projects that sometimes lack early stage backing: grants, pilot studies, creative projects, exclusive equipment and specialized resident rotations that can influence long term careers. For him, the real measure of the gift is in the physicians it will help produce.

"Our goal is to make neurosurgeons who are going to care for my children, my grandchildren and all of our community members for generations," he says. "This gift allows us to continue to train the best of the best and provide them with all the tools necessary to be world-class physicians."

Genshaft and Greenbaum ensured the endowment would remain flexible, giving future department chairs the ability to invest strategically in new ideas, technologies and opportunities as the field evolves.

"Judy and Steve have once again demonstrated their deep passion for USF," says USF President Moez Limayem. "Their extraordinary generosity reflects not only a commitment to academic excellence, but also their profound dedication to improving lives. Dr. van Loveren is known for treating complex medical cases as well as his reassuring bedside manner. By honoring him with this gift, they ensure that his stellar reputation will be remembered forever while also helping USF attract and support world-class faculty. They are making certain that patients and families benefit from leading-edge neurosurgical care for generations to come."

Van Loveren also serves as chief of Tampa General Hospital's Neuroscience Institute, where Genshaft and Greenbaum recently invested in a new intraoperative MRI suite and granted him first right of refusal on its use. The space will enhance neurosurgeons' ability to assess their work in real time and expose residents to advanced imaging technology.

"I am so grateful to Judy and Steve for their support in elevating the advanced medical care we provide, especially in such a vital medical arena," said Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "I am so pleased that Dr. van Loveren, who has built Neurosurgery into one of the nation's best programs, will receive this recognition. He is an exceptionally gifted surgeon and an outstanding leader."

Last year, the Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine expanded its residency program, which is deliberately resident-centric; trainees shape their own curriculum within guardrails, guided by faculty and a professional coach.

"I am continually inspired by the generosity of Judy and Steve," says Jay Stroman, CEO of the USF Foundation. "This most recent gift will allow Dr. van Loveren to scale what he's built, fueling larger grants, bold new projects and ultimately healthier lives for more patients and families."

For van Loveren, the gift is deeply meaningful, but so is the relationship behind it. Over the years, Genshaft and Greenbaum have become more than steadfast supporters of the neurosurgeon; they've become friends.

They've shared dinners with van Loveren and his wife, Jeffrie - who, Genshaft says, "makes it all possible" - and they've come to appreciate the side of van Loveren that surprises people outside the operating room: the thrill-seeker who enjoys synchronized skydiving, motorcycle rides and horseback riding.

"Judy always made me feel seen," says van Loveren. "Anytime I was in her presence, she'd say, 'Oh, there's my favorite neurosurgeon!' It is such a privilege to have that personal relationship with both Judy and Steve."