Dr. Bob, as he likes to be called, graduated from the UF College of Pharmacy in 1956, but the impressions left upon him by the college, and its faculty, here never forgotten. After a brief stint teaching pharmacy at Northeastern University, he founded his first pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Lyne Laboratories Inc., in the early 1960s. His company would manufacturer liquid drugs for hospitals in the Boston area, and Crisafi would make deliveries to the hospital pharmacies. It was during these visits, and subsequent conversations with the hospital pharmacists, that Crisafi learned there was a need for liquid unit-dose medications. For three years, he studied the problem, and Lyne Laboratories would eventually develop the world’s first liquid pharmaceutical product in a unit-dose cup. The effort radically changed the way hospitals administered liquid medications to patients, making the drugs safer and more effective.

Crisafi became a pioneer in patient safety, and his entrepreneurial drive would lead to new companies that made many more groundbreaking discoveries. He advocated for electronic bedside point-of-care improvements, and in 1994, his company, Regional Service Center, introduced medication barcoding to track drug administration. Crisafi’s idea was that a nurse would scan a barcode on the medication and the patient’s wrist to make sure they matched correctly before giving the drug. The process became standard practice at hospitals throughout the country and has greatly reduced medication errors.

“What sets Bob Crisafi apart from many other successful entrepreneurs is his passion for improving the quality of health care through reducing errors associated with the administration of medications,” said Richard Segal, Ph.D., an associate dean for faculty affairs and the Dr. Robert and Barbara Crisafi Chair in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy from 2011-16. “His leadership and innovation played a significant role in making medication use systems safer in hospitals.”

The inaugural Crisafi Challenge in 2015 raised more than $30,000. Alumni and friends not only matched the Crisafi’s $10,000 gift, but doubled the amount. The UF College of Pharmacy used the funds to award eight deserving students, including Harper, scholarships upon their acceptance to the college. In addition, each student was given the honor of being called a Crisafi Scholar — in tribute to the couple whose vision it was to establish the scholarship challenge.

“I am very honored that the students are called Crisafi Scholars,” Crisafi said. “It is fulfilling to know that our generous pharmacy alumni are helping these well-deserving students attend the same college that has served us so well.”

On the heels of a successful 2015 campaign, the Crisafi Challenge returned in 2016. This time the Crisafis donated $20,000 and asked alumni and friends to match the total. Once again, supporters rose to the challenge and an additional $35,000 was raised, bringing the grand total for the year to $55,000.

As the challenge grows in popularity and support, so does the impact that it has on students attending the UF College of Pharmacy.

“Dr. Bob is inspired to give back to students in the way that a faculty member at UF gave back to him and helped make his education possible,” Johnson said. “Clearly that faculty member identified a very young pharmacist in whom he knew additional education would be well-invested. Dr. Bob’s professional success is a testament to why it is important for us to support our students, since one or more of them may follow a similar path and change the world in significant ways.”

Always the visionary, Crisafi has his sights set on bigger accomplishments in 2017. He’s pledging $40,000, with the goal of raising $80,000, during the 10-day challenge that runs Aug. 31 — Sept. 9. In addition, he astonished many during the college’s commencement ceremony in May by announcing plans to donate $1 million through an estate gift to ensure the Crisafi Challenge continues in perpetuity. The donation will generate approximately $40,000 annually and ensure deserving UF College of Pharmacy students will have the financial support to chase their dreams.

“Graduates of UF are so fortunate to receive a top notch pharmacy education,” Crisafi said. “Now is the time to show our appreciation for the College of Pharmacy and set an example for future generations by supporting the Crisafi  Challenge.”