Tampa General Hospital Foundation Receives $5 Million Gift from Blake Casper to Support New Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Pavilion

Casper’s gift will help Tampa General Hospital build a new, state-of-the-art pavilion, part of a visionary campaign to transform the hospital into an epicenter of health and healing.

Tampa, FL (Nov. 13, 2023) – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) today announced a generous $5 million gift from longstanding supporter and TGH Board member Blake Casper and his family to the TGH Foundation, which will support the construction of the planned, new on-campus Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Pavilion at the academic health system’s flagship campus on Davis Islands. Casper's contribution ignited the TGH Foundation’s five-year capital campaign, “Elevating Excellence,” which with an ambitious $100 million goal will fund the expansion, technologies and programs that will continue transforming the academic health system and the region's healthcare landscape.

“We are deeply appreciative of Blake’s unwavering dedication to the advancement of Tampa General, both as a community advocate and as a leader on our Board of Directors,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General. “Our organization has experienced significant growth over the last several years thanks to the support of Blake and his fellow board members and our journey is just getting started. This exceptional gift will provide meaningful support to our team as we pivot from foundational to transformational work as one of the country’s leading academic health systems.”

Casper, a multi-generation Tampa Bay native, is a devoted advocate for the community. He joined the Florida Health Sciences Center Board of Directors in 2015, currently chairing the Finance Committee, and previously served as the chair of the Investment Committee. In October, Casper was elected to the role of Vice Chairman and Treasurer. He is CEO of the Caspers Company, a hospitality management organization that owns, operates and supports hospitality concepts, including hotels, clubs, full and quick-service restaurants, and behavioral health clinics. Caspers Company also specializes in residential and commercial design services.

The Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Pavilion is a cornerstone of TGH’s Master Facility Plan. This visionary $550 million capital commitment is already transforming patient care and creating a new epicenter of innovation, health and healing in Tampa Bay. As part of the Plan, the new 13-floor pavilion will include 136 additional in-patient beds, a shell floor to allow for future growth, and a new education and conference center.

“Tampa General Hospital holds a special place in my heart, and I know the same can be said by so many throughout our community,” said Casper. “As a board member, I have been especially fortunate to witness the remarkable care and dedication of their team across the entire health system. As someone who entrusts the health of my own family to TGH, this gift is our way of giving back and ensuring the organization is well positioned to continue driving excellence, innovation, and the well-being of our community in the future.”

“On behalf of the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, I express our sincere gratitude to Blake and the Casper family,” said Frann Leppla, the Foundation’s senior vice president of development and chief philanthropy officer. “This gift will allow us to continue executing our commitment to delivering world-class care to our patients and we are honored to work closely with Blake as a partner in creating tomorrow’s Tampa General.”

Announced in September 2021, Tampa General’s comprehensive Master Facility Plan is the largest in the hospital’s history and is the strategic cornerstone to the academic health system’s commitment to developing Tampa Bay’s first medical and research district to serve the region’s increasing health care needs.