Exciting plans to bring world-class healthcare to Citrus and Hernando Counties were presented at the February 9th Annual 411 luncheon hosted by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce featuring Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris as the guest speaker.

On December 1, 2023, Tampa General Hospital Health Care system acquired the Bravera for-profit healthcare system in Citrus and Hernando counties.  

During the February 2024 Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at The Plantation Resort in Crystal River, Couris explained that TGH’s recent acquisition included hospitals, clinical operations, services, providers, and team members who were previously part of subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc.

These undervalued resources are now forming TGH North, a division of TGH and an important extension of one of our nation’s leading academic health systems into the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast.

The TGH North expansion will extend the reach of one of America’s leading academic health systems to Citrus and Hernando counties to help meet the needs of our growing population while increasing access to world-class complex care only available through an academic health care system.

Locals are Excited about the Opportunity for Better Health Care Tampa General North Brings

One Hernando County mom explains that, from her point of view, “families with medically complex kids over the age of 18 will greatly benefit from this change because when a critical care need arises, treatment will now be available close to home. Before, an intense situation would arise and a beloved family member would be stabilized locally and then transported to Tampa General, an hour away. Now, having the critical care close to home is a tremendous relief,” she shared.

Tampa General’s Bold Vision

Tampa General CEO John Couris explained to the full house in attendance that with the December 1, 2023, acquisition, “We have a bold vision to offer world-class health care, research, and innovation to communities throughout Florida. A key step toward realizing this vision is embracing partnerships that allow us to expand services where they are needed most. By bringing the Bravera Health network into our system and coming together as one organization, we will be stronger in our mission to transform health care for all Floridians.”

Couris went on to explain the differences in the business models of a for-profit system and a non-profit system by saying that the leaders of both models are good people doing good jobs.  The difference is that in the for-profit model, the focus is on keeping healthcare costs down to turn a profit for the company. Hospital administrators answer the corporation.

In the TGH North system, the business model is different. Instead of turning a profit for the company, the money brought in will go back to the community. Directors of the TGH North expansion will report directly to the community.

In a Tampa General Hospital press release from December 1, 2023, officials explain that with this expansion of Tampa General’s academic health system, residents in Citrus and Hernando counties will benefit from the local care they’ve grown to depend on, while gaining access to a broader network of providers, experts and specialists.

Tampa General’s Partnership with USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

In partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa General combines clinical care, teaching, and research to deliver the best possible outcomes, including cutting-edge technologies, resources, and therapies to the communities they serve.

The creation of TGH North through TGH’s acquisition of the Bravera Health network includes:

• TGH Spring Hill (formerly Bravera Health Spring Hill)
• TGH Brooksville (formerly Bravera Health Brooksville)
• TGH Crystal River (formerly Bravera Health Seven Rivers)
• One freestanding ER
• Two ambulatory surgery centers
• Ten primary care and specialty care clinics

With the addition of TGH North, Tampa General’s academic health system now encompasses six hospitals, more than 150 care locations, and nearly 14,000 team members and providers. 

The system provides the highest level of complex care to treat the most severe illnesses and conditions for patients from 23 counties across Florida. Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is recognized as one of the nation’s best hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report, with seven specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. TGH is committed to clinical excellence, patient safety, innovation, research, education, and patient satisfaction.

Tampa General Hospital Acquires Bravera Health in Hernando and Citrus Counties

“With the creation of TGH North, we’re investing in this growing, vibrant region,” said Couris. “The communities in Citrus and Hernando counties can continue to depend on their local hospitals while benefiting from the cutting-edge research conducted at TGH and USF Health, and access to a broader network of providers that offer rare and complex specialized care.”

Physicians and team members at TGH North join Florida’s coast-to-coast network of leading providers and team members who already make up Tampa General Hospital. Together as one combined team, they will all benefit from the vast knowledge, expertise, and experience across the network that work to contribute toward higher quality care and better patient outcomes. 

In addition, Tampa General offers a variety of professional development opportunities that strengthen team engagement, advance career growth, and promote personal development.

This acquisition marks the largest expansion for Tampa General in recent years but is just the latest in a series of strategic efforts to expand access to world-class healthcare across the state of Florida and transform the nation’s healthcare landscape. TGH prioritizes innovation, advances technologies, and adopts new methods for the delivery of academic-based care.

TGH Embraces AI to Improve Healthcare

In 2020, TGH launched CareComm, a mission-style command center that uses AI applications to integrate care coordination system-wide and improve operational efficiency. In 2022, the system launched TGH at Home, an innovative program offering hospital quality care, daily in-home visits and 24/7 remote patient monitoring in the comfort of the patient’s own home where they can be supported by loved ones. 

Through the Tampa Medical & Research District, anchored by Tampa General and USF Health, the region is attracting renowned clinicians and researchers to Florida, resulting in increased access to experts, cutting-edge research, education, and technology for patients and students.

TGH North changes to our Local Health Care with Take Time

Collectively, these developments and the formation of TGH North, combined with the day-to-day work of TGH providers and team members across the state, are leveling up the exceptional, world-class care for which patients turn to Tampa General Hospital.

Couris explained to the crowd that there are many changes taking place and they don’t happen overnight. His estimate as to when these monumental changes will take effect will be about a year or a year and a half.

Meanwhile, the staff of these organizations have mostly been retained and Mr. Couris mentioned that there were no plans to replace them because they are of a high caliber already. While the digital processes are being integrated and implemented, residents and visitors can expect more options for higher-level care to be available. What good news this is for all of us! On behalf of Florida’s Nature Coast, we extend a warm welcome to TGH North.