Donors Gave $5 Million to USF Eye Institute
The University of South Florida renamed its eye institute to honor donors Caroline Sue Martin and Farrell Tyson.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Caroline Sue Martin and Farrell Tyson have donated $5 million to the University of South Florida. The university has renamed its eye institute as the USF Health Tyson-Martin Eye Institute in recognition of the gift.
Why it matters
The donation honors the legacy of the late Dr. Benjamin Martin, an early clinical professor at the medical school who founded the Cape Coral Eye Center. The funds will support medical education and eye care infrastructure in the Tampa region.
The $5 million gift will establish the Tyson-Martin Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and the Dr. Suzi Martin Endowed Ophthalmic Technician Training Program. The donation serves as the primary funding source for these new academic initiatives.
The players
Caroline Sue Martin
She is a Naples resident and co-donor of the $5 million gift to the university.
Farrell Tyson
A Fort Myers resident and USF medical school alumnus, he provided the donation alongside Martin.
Benjamin Martin
The late doctor was an early clinical professor at USF and founded the Cape Coral Eye Center.
The details
The contribution will expand local eye care access and fund the development of future satellite clinics across the region. It specifically targets workforce development through the creation of a specialized technician training program at the university.
Timeline
Benjamin Martin relocated to the Fort Myers area in 1980.
Farrell Tyson earned a medical degree from USF in 1997.
The University of South Florida announced the $5 million gift on September 18, 2026.
Market Landscape
This donation follows a broader industry trend of private philanthropic support funding specialized academic medical facilities. It positions the USF Health Tyson-Martin Eye Institute to compete more aggressively for clinical resources and talent within the Florida healthcare market.
Local patients can expect expanded access to ophthalmology services as the university uses these funds to establish new satellite clinics. The initiative also aims to increase the number of trained ophthalmic technicians available to work in area practices.
The takeaway
Large-scale philanthropic gifts to academic medical centers often serve to accelerate regional health infrastructure growth and training programs. Residents should expect increased availability of specialized eye care services as the university expands its operational footprint.
Further reading
Learn more about local giving initiatives on the Philanthropy section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News-Press.
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