Prominent leaders in medicine, finance and technology convened in Tampa recently for TGH Innovation Week, a series of events hosted by Tampa General Hospital in partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) Health. The theme for this year was ‘Inspire. Empower. Practice,’ with a focus on implementing innovative new technologies and bright new concepts into daily practice. Highlights of TGH Innovation Week included a Shark Tank-style competition and a fireside chat with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
“The Tampa Bay region is at the epicenter of the future of health care — where innovation converges with world‑class clinical care, exceptional academics, cutting‑edge medical research, and leading life sciences and biotechnology companies,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “Tampa General is proud to host TGH Innovation Week, which celebrates that spirit of progress and reflects Tampa’s evolution into a globally recognized leader in health care and life sciences.”
Among the week’s marquee moments was a ribbon-cutting of the TGH Innovation Center in Ybor City. The 32,000-square-foot building will house TGH Ventures and the analytics and information technology teams. The new location will also serve as home to the Tampa Medical and Research District (TMRD) and to regional centers for companies such as Palantir Technologies.
“It’s a place for physicians, researchers, allied health professionals, industry partners and entrepreneurs to move a great idea to a tested solution faster,” according to Scott Arnold, TGH executive vice president and chief digital and innovation officer. “Innovation is a mindset. It’s part of our culture at Tampa General Hospital, and it can’t be occasional. It has to be intentional, repeatable and connected to the real needs of the people we serve.”
TGH Innovation Week featured the NEXT Summit, which brought together global leaders, entrepreneurs and tech innovators to highlight breakthroughs in health care technology. Top-tier speakers included ARK Invest CEO and CIO Cathie Wood, GE HealthCare U.S. and Canada President and CEO Catherine Estrampes, Palantir’s co-heads of U.S. health care, Jeremy David and Drew Goldstein and Texas Medical Center President and CEO William McKeon.
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian and Michelle Wahler, founder and former CEO of Beyond Yoga, were also on the agenda at TGH Innovation Week, reflecting the increasing cross-sector nature of health care innovation.
The best of Tampa was on full display throughout the activation, turning the region into a living innovation lab. Behind-the-scenes tours, workshops, watch parties, simulations and live demonstrations were constant.
The event has become a must‑attend gathering, bringing together TGH leaders and team members, physician scientists, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, clinicians, health professionals and creators to experience firsthand the innovations shaping health care and health technology. More than 5,000 attendees saw one or more of the 62 events, which featured 43 speakers and 24 panel discussions. More than 150 traveled to Tampa for the occasion, and 16 states were uniquely represented at the event.
Tampa General brought its first Innovation Week to life in 2024 to inspire team members to accelerate innovation across the system and empower them to bring innovative ideas to life with tangible tools and takeaways.
