Tampa General University and the University of South Florida have announced an agreement that will strengthen their partnership and expand investments in workforce, GME programs, academics and research.
TAMPA, Fla. , Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and the University of South Florida's (USF) USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (USF Health) today announced a historic investment in academic medicine, strengthening the integration of the two organizations and deepening their commitment to excellence in quality healthcare. Tampa General will direct more than $162 million to USF Health in 2025, nearly $100 million more than TGH invested in its university affiliate just five years ago. This special investment supports a shared vision between the two affiliates to strengthen integration, recruit best-in-class providers and advance research initiatives while continuing to grow the local economy and create jobs.
“Through the collaboration between Tampa General Hospital and USF Health, we are transforming the healthcare landscape. Together we have expanded our world-class teams, launched new cutting-edge initiatives, embraced innovative technologies and disrupted old care delivery models,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “We are setting the standard for the future of healthcare, and now is the time to further invest and integrate across our academic healthcare system to make an even more meaningful impact on patients and the healthcare industry across our state and country.”
“The longstanding partnership between the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital has greatly benefited our students and the community, and today's approval will further advance our universities' collaboration,” said University of South Florida President Leah Lo. “At the heart of this agreement are three goals that will play a vital role in the future of our university and the community: providing world-class patient care, expanding the state's health care workforce and advancing research.”
“This agreement is evidence of a truth we've long known: USF Health and Tampa General are stronger together than they are apart,” said Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani School of Medicine. “Our expanded union will undoubtedly advance both institutions, but more importantly, it will also benefit our patients and the community at large by promoting quality health care.”
The commitment was announced in the form of a revised affiliation agreement that was approved by Tampa General Hospital's board of directors on Aug. 6 and approved today by the Governance Committee on behalf of the USF Board of Trustees. The agreement will become effective Oct. 1.
“As we deepen our relationship with USF Health, together we are fundamentally transforming Florida's health care landscape as we attract new talent, grow our care workforce, discover new treatments and therapies, and save more lives,” said Drew Graham, chairman of Tampa General's board of directors. “With this increased investment and enhanced integration, we are building the academic health system of the future to advance the health and wellness of families and provide world-class care to the patients we serve.”
“This is an exciting time of great growth and opportunity for USF and the entire Tampa Bay region,” said Will Weatherford, chair of the USF Board of Trustees and chairman of the BOT Governance Committee. “Our expanded connection with Tampa General Hospital adds immense value to our continued progress, and we look forward to seeing this expanded partnership further elevate the region.”
Tampa General Hospital and USF Health form one of the leading academic health systems in the nation. Tampa General Hospital and USF Health combine clinical care, education and research to provide the best possible outcomes and support patients, including those with the most serious illnesses and complex health conditions.
Tampa General has been affiliated with USF Health since the School of Medicine was founded more than 50 years ago. Over the years, the partnership has evolved, enabling both organizations to better collaborate to advance patient care, improve outcomes and drive breakthroughs. Leveraging the combined assets and expertise of both organizations, the system has impacted the lives of millions of patients, attracted the world's most sought-after specialists, introduced next-generation technologies and advanced cutting-edge research.
Through its Collaborative Clinical Research Office and Centers for Research Excellence, the system advances research and development with administrative services, clinical trials and journal submission support. By collaborating on collaborative clinical trials and translational studies, the system brings discoveries from the lab bench to the patient's bedside, delivering the most sophisticated levels of care to the community and beyond.
The university health system educates and trains the next generation of health care providers and workforce to expand access to the excellent care provided at Tampa General Hospital. Each year, hundreds of USF Health medical students complete their clinical training at Tampa General Hospital, and 726 residents and fellows also train there. Tampa General Hospital funds programs that support 344 of these USF residents, as well as more than 70 residency programs. On average, approximately 200 undergraduate USF nursing students and 315 adjunct students gain hands-on experience at Tampa General Hospital each month.
Together, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health have earned national recognition for research and quality care. This year, the academic health system rose to the second-highest ranked hospital in Florida, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals. Tampa General Hospital has also been recognized as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation in eight medical specialties and is ranked in the top 10% in three additional medical specialties. In 2023, USF joined the nation's leading research institutions as a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, thanks in large part to the university's commitment to medical research and innovation.
The rise of academic health systems has attracted new investment and talent to the region, strengthening Tampa's reputation as a global hub for medical excellence, advanced research and emerging biotechnology. Academic, research, science and technology organizations are located in the Tampa Medical Research District with TGH and USF Health at its anchor. Moving forward, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health are on a path to transform the healthcare landscape by disrupting traditional health care delivery models and pursuing innovative ways to improve patient outcomes.
About Tampa General Hospital
Tampa General Hospital is a 981-bed not-for-profit academic health system, one of the largest in America, providing world-class care as the region's only Level I Trauma and Comprehensive Burn Center. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in its market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranked in the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranked among the top 50 hospital programs in the U.S. Tampa General Hospital was named a Model of Excellence in the 2022 Fortune/Merative Top 100 Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to nurturing and developing team members has been recognized in three prestigious rankings by Forbes magazine. Named a Top 100 Large Employers Nationwide in America for 2024, Top 50 Florida Employers by State in America for 2024, and a Top Employer for Women in America for 2023, Tampa General Hospital is a regional safety net hospital that cares for everyone, regardless of ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2022 provided approximately $240.3 million in net community benefits in the form of medical care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support for Tampa Bay's regional health care organizations. It is one of the busiest adult solid organ transplant centers in the country and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured and critically ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General Hospital is home to a nationally certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and a 32-bed Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, the largest on Florida's west coast. Also located here are TGH's Muma Children's Hospital, the Jennifer Lee Muma 82-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a nationally accredited Rehabilitation Center. Tampa General Hospital's jurisdiction includes TGH North, which consists of three hospitals and several outpatient clinics in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group primary care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from TGH Urgent Care, powered by the Fast Track clinic network. To watch live medical professionals anytime, anywhere on your smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). Tampa General Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the nation, is the first hospital in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare to open a Clinical Command Center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, visit www.tgh.org.
About USF Health
USF Health's mission is to envision and realize the future of health. It is a partnership between the USF Health Morsani School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, Taneja School of Pharmacy, School of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Doctoral Programs, and the USF Health Multi-Specialty Physician Group. The University of South Florida is a high-impact research university committed to student success and community engagement, generating more than $6 billion in annual economic impact. Through hundreds of millions of dollars of research activity each year, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. Learn more at health.usf.edu.
Source: Tampa General Hospital
