Tampa General Hospital and Tampa Bay Economic Development Council Bring Together Industry Leaders to Accelerate Collaboration and Coordination Among Region's Health Care, Education, Research, Policy, and Biotech Organizations

New Tampa Medical and Research District Advisory Committee Will Seek Partnerships, Attract Talent and Promote Tampa Bay as a Global Destination for World-Class Health Care.

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH), University of South Florida (USF) and the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC) announced the establishment of the Tampa Medical and Research District Advisory Committee, which consists of leaders in health care, education, technology, energy and real estate. The members, who met formally for the first time today, will focus on guiding and implementing the long-term strategy of the Tampa Medical and Research District.

"The Tampa Medical and Research District is gaining a global reputation, drawing new businesses, recruiting world-class talent, fostering innovation and bringing a significant economic benefit to our region," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "By forming this advisory committee, we're bringing together leaders from across industries to inform our overall strategy, facilitate collaboration and align opportunities with solutions."

"We're honored to have this stellar lineup of business leaders on the advisory committee," said Craig Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay EDC. "With their leadership and expertise guiding the strategic direction of the Tampa Medical and Research District, Tampa will soon be recognized globally as a destination for world-class health care and medical innovation."

The advisory committee will serve as a catalyst for and facilitator of collaboration and coordination between the health care, education, research, policy, and biotech organizations of the region. Members will advise on industry trends, best practices, and strategies for long-term collaboration between district organizations. In addition, members and related organizations will promote the meaningful career opportunities and support recruitment of talent to fill the growing demands of the life sciences and health care sector in Tampa.

Members of the committee include:

• John Couris, President and CEO | TGH
• Craig Richard, President & CEO | Tampa Bay EDC
• Archie Collins, President and CEO | Tampa Electric
• Eric Eisenberg, SVP of University-Community Partnerships | University of South Florida
• Dr. Paul Greenwood, Ph.D. | University of Tampa
• David Pizzo, West Florida Market President | Florida Blue
• Gary Sasso, President & CEO | Carlton Fields
• Lee Schaffler, Chief Portfolio Officer| Strategic Property Partners
• Darryl Shaw, CEO | Casa Ybor
• Lakshmi Shenoy, CEO | Embarc Collective

The Tampa Medical and Research District houses a growing hub of world-class clinical care, academics, research, and biotechnology, anchored by one of the largest academic health institutions in the nation – Tampa General Hospital and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

In January, TGH and USF Health announced a partnership with the Tampa Bay EDC to attract businesses and professional talent to the region and promote the benefits of the district, which is inspired by renowned medical districts in some of the nation's greatest cities. Based on a study by the Washington Economics Group, the district is expected to ultimately generate more than $8.3 billion in economic impact to the state of Florida every year and support more than 57,900 jobs.

The health care industry is Hillsborough County's fastest-growing employment sector, adding more than 17,000 jobs since 2018. In the past decade, Hillsborough County's life sciences sector has transformed with the addition of global giants Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Amgen and Pfizer, as well as innovative younger companies such as Axogen, Vycellix, Morphogenesis and Verséa Health. More than 80 colleges, universities, and specialized training providers in West Central Florida ensure a plentiful supply of talent in the pipeline to power the industry's growth.

Today's meeting of the advisory committee is just the start of the conversation. The Tampa Medical and Research District Advisory Committee will meet on a regular basis to guide the long-term strategy of the district.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-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 and World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six 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 two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six 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 Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, 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 the TGH Urgent Care powered by 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.

ABOUT THE TAMPA BAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council is the lead designated economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works to advance a diversified local economy that is beneficial to all by attracting, expanding and retaining quality employers, a talented workforce and investment, focusing within targeted industry sectors, including Corporate Headquarters, Financial and Professional Services, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Defense and Security, Distribution and Logistics, and Manufacturing. The EDC exists because of the generous support of more than 100 corporations, Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital