Tampa General Hospital and Lakeside Medical Center Team Up to Enhance Health Care Access in Rural Palm Beach County

Tampa General to provide strategic, operational and administrative support to Lakeside Medical Center.

Tampa, FL (March 13, 2025) – Tampa General Hospital and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County reached an agreement earlier this year for Tampa General to provide administrative leadership, operational management and strategic support for Lakeside Medical Center, the Health Care District’s public teaching hospital in Belle Glade, Florida. Together, the two organizations will work to enhance quality and increase access to care in the rural areas of Palm Beach County.

Tampa General’s work with Lakeside Medical Center marks an expansion of Tampa General’s existing network of providers and services in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, which already includes primary care, cancer care, digestive health, kidney care, radiation, oncology and general surgery.

“With this agreement, we’re extending the strategic, operational and clinical expertise we offer at Tampa General to support the leadership, providers and teams at Lakeside Medical Center and expand access to world-class care in the Glades,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “It’s the best of both worlds – high quality care close to home.”

Through a Management and Administrative Services Agreement with the Health District of Palm Beach County effective February 1, Tampa General will provide administrative management support for Lakeside Medical Center. The objectives of the agreement are to:

• Enhance quality of care;
• Strengthen clinical training, recruitment and retention; and
• Improve financial status.

“This strategic partnership combines the strengths of both organizations to advance access to high-quality health care for underserved populations,” said Darcy J. Davis, Health Care District of Palm Beach County President and CEO. “By joining forces with Tampa General, the health and wellness of our Glades communities will prosper for generations.”

Tampa General appointed Ron Doncaster vice president of business operations and integration at Lakeside Medical Center. In this role, Doncaster will oversee operations, facilitate service integration, supervise personnel and offer recommendations for innovative programming and expansion opportunities.

Doncaster takes on this role with decades of experience in health care leadership and administration, having managed operations at some of the nation’s most prestigious health care systems, including Mass General Brigham. Most recently, he served as Interim Chief Operating Officer at Tampa General, overseeing all clinical and operational strategies and managing partnerships with key constituents.

“Our number one goal is to meet the needs of the community,” said Doncaster. “With improved delivery models and expanded access to specialists, we can elevate the level of care available in the community without losing the personal service only a local hospital can provide.”

Under the agreement, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County maintains ownership of the hospital and its assets. The agreement does not impact the rights or obligations of Health Care District employees assigned to Lakeside Medical Center.

Tampa General is one of the largest and most innovative academic health systems in the nation. The system features more than 150 care locations across the Sunshine State. TGH is ranked #2 in Florida and a top 50 hospital nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

In fiscal year 2022, Tampa General provided a net community benefit of $240.3 million in health care for underinsured patients, community education and financial support to Tampa Bay community health organizations.