Tampa General’s president and CEO is recognized for advancing Tampa’s health care community through transformative efforts to improve care delivery and patient outcomes.
John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center, which comprises a portfolio of organizations, including Tampa General Hospital (TGH), has been recognized as a 2024 Business Leader of the Year by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce (STCOC). This award highlights exceptional leaders who have made a significant positive impact on the South Tampa community.
At the helm of the region’s only university-affiliated academic health system, Couris leads approximately 14,000 team members and physicians, the system’s flagship 981-bed academic medical center and over 150 care locations statewide. A visionary leader and innovator, Couris has spearheaded the growth and transformation of Tampa General, reimagining the health care landscape of the community and empowering his team to continuously improve the quality of care, patient outcomes and care experiences for the population of approximately 4 million people the system serves. Under his leadership, Tampa General has received national recognition for pioneering and delivering world-class care, including its ranking as the #1 hospital in Tampa Bay by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-2024 and as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation in six specialties.
“John is a truly transformative leader, consistently setting a high standard for health systems nationwide through his innovative vision of care,” said Drew Graham, chair of the Board of Directors at Tampa General. “He is committed to forging strategic partnerships at Tampa General that drive growth, improve care delivery and elevate patient outcomes. He is also a leader in driving world-class health care in Florida by prioritizing collaboration, welcoming disruption to improve patient outcomes and organizational performance, and fostering the ideas of his wider team.”
Couris has led the charge to transform Florida’s health care landscape through a historic capital commitment to bringing the most advanced technology and innovative care to the region. This includes the development of the Tampa Medical and Research District, a burgeoning hub of world-class clinical care, academics, research and biotechnology, anchored by Tampa General and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Leveraging Tampa General’s academic affiliation with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and partnership with the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, the District is expected to ultimately generate more than $8.3 billion in annual economic impact and support more than 58,000 jobs in the state. The district skyline will soon include the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower, a medical pavilion in the heart of Tampa Bay, where patients will have access to best-in-class providers, the latest research therapies and state-of-the-art technologies, as well as the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as one of the first and only freestanding academic medical behavioral health hospitals in Florida.
“One of our greatest strengths at Tampa General has been our collective commitment to providing exceptional, groundbreaking care for our community and our core belief that every single team member and partner plays an instrumental role in delivering on that commitment,” said Couris. “It is an honor not only to be recognized by the South Tampa community but to serve as their only university-affiliated academic health system, ensuring the very best clinical research capabilities, medical expertise and specialized care are available where and when they need it most.”
Couris is dedicated to serving the Tampa Bay community outside of his leadership role at Tampa General. In addition to supporting the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce as a member, he is a member of the Executive Advisory Council of the University of South Florida Muma College of Business and serves as chair of the Board of The Florida Aquarium.
Couris also sits on the boards of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Council of 100, the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, the New Hampton School, and the PGA TOUR Valspar Championship. He is a current member of the Florida Council of 100, the Young Presidents' Organization, and many national health care associations. Recently, he completed his appointment as vice chair to the Florida Council of 100 Healthy Florida Committee and the Florida Hospital Association Political Advisory Committee.
Most recently, he was appointed by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo to Florida’s first-ever Health Care Innovation Council, a statewide volunteer organization established this year to advance innovation in health care as part of the Senate’s priority Live Healthy initiative. Couris played a key role in the development and passage of the Live Healthy legislation, advocating for the expansion of Hospital at Home programs and establishing Tampa General’s new behavioral health hospital as the first of only four certified behavioral health teaching hospitals in Florida statute.
This recognition by the South Tampa Chamber follows several regional recognitions for Couris, including the awarding of the President's Fellow Medallion from the University of South Florida, one of the highest honors the USF President can bestow, his inclusion on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2024 “Power 100” list of Tampa Bay’s most influential leaders, as well as the Journal’s 2023 “Inno Award” and 2022 “25 People to Watch.” He was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame in 2023 and has previously been recognized as one of the most influential people in Florida by Florida Trend, INFLUENCE magazine, and City & State Florida.
Nationally, Couris has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s “Top Innovators” and was highlighted by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of its “60 Health System CEO Influencers” and “Great Leaders in Healthcare” for multiple consecutive years.
The South Tampa Chamber is an association of 600 businesses, organizations and individuals in the South Tampa community committed to making South Tampa a great place to live. Tampa General Hospital is a Trustee sponsor of the Chamber.
Source & Image Credit: TGH
