Representative Sam Garrison Joined Tampa General Hospital and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine to Highlight Innovation in Health Care at Florida’s State Capitol

Tallahassee, FL (Feb. 12, 2025) – Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, Representative Sam Garrison joined Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Tuesday in the Senate Portico for a discussion highlighting the breakthroughs in innovation and technology research that are elevating care in Florida and expanding access for patients.

“Florida’s strong leadership and commitment to pro-business, pro-family policies have made our state a destination not just for its beautiful beaches, but for opportunity and innovation,” said Representative Garrison. “Hospitals like Tampa General play a key role in this vision by combining research, technology and innovation to provide the best possible care for families and visitors.”

The event was part of We Are TGH Day at the Florida Capitol and also featured TGH president and CEO John Couris; Scott Arnold, TGH’s executive vice president and chief digital and chief innovation officer; and Nishit Patel, M.D., vice president of medical informatics for USF Tampa General Physicians and professor and associate residency program director for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery.

“From the weather and our coastlines to our distinction as an entertainment capital, Florida has a reputation as a world-class destination,” said Couris. “But we’re also a destination for innovation in health care. Right here in the Sunshine State, we’re implementing the latest research findings and the newest technologies to provide the best possible care to our patients. Tampa General is truly transforming the health care landscape.”

The discussion, titled “Florida: The Destination for Innovation,” focused on the growing reputation of the Sunshine State as a destination for world-class care. Stefan Grow, chief of staff at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, served as moderator.

"At Tampa General, we’re partnering with some of the world’s most advanced technology companies,” said Arnold. “Through our new Innovation Center at Tampa General Hospital, we will be collaborating directly with our partners to develop the next-generation technologies and shape how they enhance health care delivery.”

Tampa General is building an Innovation Center in the Tampa Medical and Research District, where developers, engineers and creators can collaborate with health care researchers, providers, and team members to craft solutions that enhance care.

“We’re leveraging technology to not just optimize care delivery, but also enhance patient experience,” said Dr. Patel. “Through integrated managed services, we’re increasing transparency for patients to securely access their own medical information and communicate virtually with their providers.”

Dr. Patel led the design of Tampa General’s “Patient Room of the Future” program, which evaluates, tests and scales new transformative care technologies.

As the region's only university-affiliated academic health system, Tampa General is at the forefront of groundbreaking research, pioneering advancements and world-class training that are reshaping the future of care delivery across the industry. On We Are TGH Day, examples of TGH’s innovative technologies, including the TGH exoskeleton, AquaBot, and Aquafence, were on display at the Capitol for lawmakers and legislative aides to explore. A member of the AeroMed helicopter fleet was also positioned on Adams Street for attendees to explore.

In partnership with USF Health and Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, and like-minded leaders of health care and life sciences innovation, Tampa General established a world-class medical and research district in the City of Tampa. The Tampa Medical & Research District (TMRD) is firmly cementing Florida as a foremost destination for world-class clinical care, exceptional academics, cutting-edge medical research, and innovative life sciences and biotechnology companies. By serving as a catalyst for job creation, a more prosperous community and a healthier population, the TMRD is elevating Florida’s status as a globally recognized leader in the health care and life sciences industry.

We Are TGH Day is an opportunity for Tampa General patients and their families to advocate for the world-class care they received at TGH. More than 150 Floridians from across the state were in Tallahassee to participate in Tuesday’s events. Students from the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine were also in attendance.