Drivers on Forbes Avenue have a new landmark to look at. Duquesne University today unveiled fresh exterior signage for its renamed medical school, putting the Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine front and center along the busy corridor. The new lettering follows last year’s transformational gift from Jim and Celeste Nasuti that led to the college’s new name, and students and administrators say the sign is a literal sign of long-term investment in training physicians who will stay and serve the region.
The unveiling and photos were reported by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Duquesne announced the renaming last October in a university news release that described the Nasuti donation as one of the two largest philanthropic commitments in school history, with funds directed to scholarships and faculty support. At the family’s request, the exact amount of the gift has not been disclosed, according to Duquesne University.
"A significant portion of the funding will be used for scholarships," Duquesne President Ken Gormley said in a news release from Duquesne University, highlighting the gift’s focus on affordability and service. The announcement also points to the Nasuti family’s ties to the university and the Pittsburgh region, and to their stated goal that the donation bolster service-oriented medical training for underserved communities.
Inside the new building
The Nasuti College sits in a purpose-built facility on Forbes Avenue that includes an extensive simulation hospital and an immersive HoloAnatomy lab so students can get hands-on experience before they head into clinical rotations. WESA covered the ribbon-cutting and noted that the building is located across from UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Multiple simulated clinical environments are also featured in the curriculum, according to AACOM.
Partnerships and next steps
To back up the bricks and mortar with real-world training, Duquesne has lined up clinical and research partners as the college ramps up. PRWeb reports that Allegheny Health Network will serve as a regional clinical campus, hosting many third- and fourth-year rotations beginning in summer 2026. The school has also announced research collaborations, including a March press release stating that the Nasuti College is partnering with Terra Pharm on clinical studies, signaling an early push into applied research tied to community health, according to GlobeNewswire.
For the donors, this is not just a name on a wall. "This is a family decision and a family commitment," Celeste Nasuti said in a distributed news release that also notes the Nasutis co-founded Summerwood, a franchise company. PR Newswire covered that announcement. University leaders say the new sign is more than fresh lettering, calling it a highly visible reminder of Duquesne’s bet on expanding medical education and clinical training for Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities.
