Tampa General expands rural care with major DeSoto hospital investment.
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DeSoto Memorial Hospital in Arcadia became TGH DeSoto on Thursday. DeSoto County’s only hospital now belongs to Tampa General Hospital’s academic health system, backed by a $45 million commitment.
The DeSoto County Hospital District Board voted unanimously on Nov. 10 to choose Tampa General’s proposal over competing bids from AdventHealth and NorthStar Hospitals.
The agreement is a 49-year lease under which Tampa General takes over operations of the 49-bed hospital.
“Tampa General is making a long-term commitment to provide exceptional care in rural communities across Florida,” said Tampa General President and CEO John Couris. “Working together with the DeSoto County Hospital District, we’re maintaining the local access to care that is so important to this community, while connecting this region to the innovations, technologies, research and best-in-class care we offer across Tampa General’s academic health system.”
Tampa General will invest at least $45 million over 10 years in technology, expanded services, and access to specialists. Existing staff will stay on, and the hospital will keep its community focus.
“This is the start of a new era in DeSoto County, one that comes with a new name for our hospital, a significant investment in the care we offer this region and a connection to one of the nation’s leading academic health systems,” said Tampa General Senior Vice President Vince Sica, who ran DeSoto Memorial as CEO and now serves as president of TGH DeSoto. “But some things will never change: our commitment to care for the people of this community.”
Tampa General will also put its air ambulance fleet at TGH DeSoto’s service, so patients who need a higher level of care can get to it quickly. The system plans to upgrade TGH DeSoto’s electronic health record system to improve the patient experience and help the hospital meet regulatory requirements.
“In joining the Tampa General family, we will honor DeSoto Memorial’s history and what the Hospital District Board, team members, physicians and community partners worked so hard for over the years: ensuring this community had great healthcare,” said Tampa General Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Stacey Brandt, who also serves as president of its Community and Specialty Hospital Division. “TGH will add to that foundation by bringing in needed services, offering the latest technologies and innovations, and providing access to leading-edge research and treatments.”
TGH DeSoto is the latest addition to a system that has grown quickly since 2023, when Tampa General bought three hospitals in Hernando and Citrus counties from Community Health Systems for about $290 million and rebranded them as TGH North. With TGH DeSoto, Tampa General’s system now has eight hospitals, including specialty hospitals for inpatient rehabilitation and behavioral health, nearly 170 care locations, and more than 15,000 employees and providers.
Couris and Sica will cut the ribbon at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the hospital, 900 N. Robert Ave.
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Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team performed editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review.
The post Tampa General invests $45M in Florida’s Heartland with new ownership of DeSoto Memorial Hospital appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
