New TGH Behavioral Health Hospital Inspires $1.1 Million in Community Contributions

Generous contributions to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation will expand access to world-class behavioral health care services.

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of the ribbon-cutting celebrating the new TGH Behavioral Health Hospital, the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Foundation announced $1.1 million in private contributions to support the new hospital and behavioral health services, including a sizable donation from Dick and Francine Dobkin.

"With this new, world-class destination for patients needing behavioral health services, we're working to meet the increased demand for care while strengthening the pipeline of talent needed to fulfill future demand," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "The immediate outpouring of support from our community for the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital is a testament to the critical importance of this new hospital to our region and the future of our state."

Longtime TGH supporters Dick and Francine Dobkin contributed $500,000 to support the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital. 

"Mental health is such a major issue in our country, and the need spans generations from kids to military veterans facing PTSD," said the Dobkins. "We are so excited that TGH, USF and Lifepoint have opened the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital to help meet this critical need in our community."

"Dick and Francine Dobkin have shown such vision and dedication to our community and TGH over the years," said Frann Leppla, executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer. "We're deeply grateful for this investment in improved mental health." 

The Foundation also received $600,000 in other donations from anonymous contributors for the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital and the behavioral health service line. 

"I truly appreciate the Dobkins and other generous donors for their investment in mental health services for our community," said Doug Leonardo, president of the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital. "With a state-of-the-art facility, best-in-class providers and this overwhelming support from the community, we are ready to deliver the behavioral health care this region needs and deserves." 

Tampa General Hospital (TGH), Lifepoint Health and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine formally celebrated this week the grand opening of the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital. Located at 1303 West Kennedy Boulevard in the center of the Tampa Medical & Research District (TMRD), the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital is Florida's first and only freestanding academic medical center-affiliated behavioral health hospital. It results from a joint venture between TGH and Lifepoint Behavioral Health, a business unit of Lifepoint Health.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2022, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 20 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and 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, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR
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Publications & Physician Communications
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SOURCE Tampa General Hospital