John Couris, President and CEO, Tampa General Hospital
Across Florida, patients are gaining access to world-class care closer to home, thanks to a bold vision that puts people before buildings. Since 2017, Tampa General Hospital (TGH), under President and CEO John Couris, has focused on strategic, community-driven growth that prioritizes outcomes over infrastructure.
Couris champions a purposeful approach that emphasizes outcomes, equity and community impact over square footage. He is passionate about challenging the assumption that expanding physical infrastructure is always the answer. “There’s a tendency in our industry to think we can build our way out of every problem,” he said. “But at Tampa General, we believe in building smarter, not bigger. Our goal is to be more efficient and strategic with the resources we have to drive quality outcomes and provide exceptional value to the communities we serve.”
This philosophy is not theoretical. It’s reflected in how TGH approaches every expansion— with a community-first mindset and a laser focus on outcomes, efficiency and innovation.
Rather than pursuing mammoth expansions composed of sprawling facilities, Tampa General is investing in and attracting top-notch talent — existing hospital systems, physician-led practices and individual practitioners — who are leaders in their respective fields. Couris’ goal is to transform Tampa General into Florida’s leading academic health system.
“We’re attracting top talent and upgrading existing facilities,” said Couris. For example, Tampa General has expanded north into Citrus and Hernando counties. It now owns and operates three hospitals there and is upgrading those facilities to better serve its local communities.
On Florida’s East Coast, the creation of a radiation oncology center is underway in Palm Beach Gardens. The center is the latest step in Tampa General’s partnership with Mass General Brigham. The two nationally recognized health care systems are leveraging their clinical expertise and innovation to enhance cancer care for patients on that side of the state.
Since 2020, Tampa General has partnered with physician-led practices to connect patients in the Palm Beaches and on the Treasure Coast with health care. This includes research, complex therapies and procedures, clinical trials, and advanced immunotherapy. If patients need complex, specialized surgery in Tampa, these practices will support patients’ pre-surgical and post-surgical care. A nurse navigator with specialized expertise works directly with patients to coordinate all aspects of their care.
Currently, Tampa General’s East Coast practices include approximately 20 clinics with more than 80 providers in 13 specialties. Recent additions include three pulmonology and two urology practices. Research scientist Dr. Marshall Posner recently joined the TGH Cancer Institute | Cancer Center of South Florida practice. In addition to caring for head and neck cancer patients, he serves as the medical director of the Cancer Center Clinical Trial Office, which will offer cancer patients in the Palm Beaches and on the Treasure Coast expanded access to trials.
Tampa General’s concierge practice, led by Dr. Laurie Rothman, offers personalized primary care. Dr. Rothman, a board-certified family physician, has practiced in Palm Beach County for more than 20 years.
Earlier this year, Tampa General and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County reached an agreement for Tampa General to provide administrative leadership, operational management and strategic support to Lakeside Medical Center, the Health Care District’s public teaching hospital in Belle Glade, Florida. Together, the two organizations are working to enhance quality and increase access to care in the Glades, a primarily rural area of Palm Beach County.
In Southwest Florida, Tampa General is the exclusive health care provider for Babcock Ranch. The academic health system is launching urgent care, primary care and specialty services there this fall.
And in Tampa’s own backyard, the Tampa Medical & Research District (TMRD) — anchored by TGH and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine — is rapidly becoming a global hub for biotechnology, innovation and world-class clinical care.
That commitment to being better rather than bigger is also seen in the hospital’s reinvestment strategy. In the past year alone, Tampa General put $300 million back into community services.
Among the most impactful initiatives:
- Military & Veteran Primary Care Center — Located in South Tampa, this clinic is staffed largely by veterans and serves active-duty military, reservists and National Guard members with integrated primary care, behavioral health and pharmacy services.
- TampaWell — In partnership with the City of Tampa, this ambitious project aims to make Tampa the healthiest city in America. Located in East Tampa, the program includes a food pharmacy dispensing fresh fruits and vegetables, a community garden, and a wellness education pavilion.
- TGH Behavioral Health Hospital — Florida’s first and only freestanding academic medical center-affiliated behavioral health hospital is a collaboration between TGH, Lifepoint Health and USF Health. The hospital’s expert team of academic-medicine-based USF Health psychiatrists and psychologists, supported by Tampa General therapists and specialized nursing staff, works collaboratively to provide personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
For more information about Tampa General, visit TGH.org.
