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Tampa General Hospital's Innovative Recognition

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has recently garnered significant acclaim by ranking number 20 on Fast Company's prestigious Best Workplaces for Innovators list for 2026. This acknowledgment celebrates organizations that create environments where employees feel empowered to challenge existing norms and develop meaningful solutions across various sectors, from healthcare to technology. TGH stands out among 100 selected organizations committed to innovation across diverse industries such as entertainment, biotech, and education.

The recognition stems from TGH's robust commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. As John Couris, President and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center | Tampa General, notes, “To fundamentally transform healthcare, we must empower our team to question the status quo. Our primary role as leaders is to listen and support our teams in implementing their creative ideas.” At TGH, this philosophy manifests through initiatives like the TGH Innovation Week, introduced in 2024, aimed at translating fresh ideas into actionable projects.

During the 2026 Innovation Week, an impressive cohort of over 5,400 team members, alongside nearly 350 physicians and additional virtual attendees, engaged in workshops, tech demonstrations, and a Shark Tank-style pitch competition. This competition allows staff to present their solutions to a panel of leaders and industry experts. Among the innovative ideas submitted was the 'Fast Track,' conceived by a group of infusion nurses to address wait times for patients receiving short-duration treatments. Their proposal for a dedicated area resulted in reducing average wait times from hours to just 14 minutes, showcasing TGH's dedication to a patient-centered approach.

Further enhancing its innovative landscape, TGH launched its corporate venture capital arm, TGH Ventures, in 2021, and expanded its investment fund from $10 million to $25 million in early 2026, signaling a commitment to diversifying its portfolios to include medical devices, alongside health technology investments. This strategic move aims to optimize patient care, streamline access, and provide better experiences for patients and team members alike.

Additionally, TGH has expanded its facilities, inaugurating a new 32,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Ybor City, designed to cultivate collaboration among teams. This center consolidates key units including analytics, information technology, and TGH Ventures, fostering an environment conducive to developing and scaling new solutions efficiently.

TGH's innovations are not limited to organizational changes. The hospital leverages artificial intelligence to enhance patient care. Its partnership with Palantir enables the deployment of AI-driven predictive analytics, significantly reducing sepsis mortality rates. Moreover, the introduction of AI assistants in call centers has improved appointment handling capacity and reduced customer wait times remarkably.

A cornerstone of this creative success lies in TGH’s supportive workplace environment, emphasizing psychological safety for its team members to voice concerns, experiment with new approaches, and learn from outcomes. All leaders at Tampa General are trained under a proprietary leadership model focused on fostering authenticity, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring high engagement levels among team members.

Celebrations for TGH and other honorees will take place at Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators Cocktail Reception on September 16 in New York, recognizing these institutions’ roles in shaping the future of innovation. This recognition not only highlights Tampa General's status in healthcare but also reinforces its role as a leader in fostering a culture where innovative ideas are transformed into impactful healthcare solutions. For more information about this accomplishment and more details about TGH, visit Fast Company's list of honorees.