Tampa General’s Innovation Week Returns with New Programming to Showcase Breakthroughs in Patient Care and Technology

Published: Feb 6, 2026

Global leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators will converge across the Tampa Medical & Research District and TGH locations region-wide to showcase breakthrough technologies, bold ideas and collaborations driving the future of health care and life sciences.

Tampa, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2026) —Tampa General (TGH), in partnership with USF Health, will host TGH Innovation Week, Feb. 9-13, a dynamic, system‑wide showcase held throughout the Tampa Medical & Research District (TMRD) and across TGH locations region‑wide, spotlighting the breakthrough technologies and ideas reshaping health care today. From visionary keynote addresses and engaging fireside chats, including former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, to high-impact interactive workshops, TGH Innovation Week is engaging with thousands of attendees in a multi-day experience focused on the future of health care.

“The Tampa Bay region is at the epicenter of the future of health care—where innovation converges with world‑class clinical care, exceptional academics, cutting‑edge medical research, and leading life sciences and biotechnology companies,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center | Tampa General Hospital. “Tampa General is proud to host TGH Innovation Week, which celebrates that spirit of progress and reflects Tampa’s evolution into a globally recognized leader in health care and life sciences. The event has become a must‑attend gathering, bringing together TGH leaders and team members, physician scientists, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, clinicians, health professionals and creators to experience firsthand the innovations shaping what’s next in health care and health technology.”

Throughout the week, Tampa and the surrounding area will transform into a living innovation lab, featuring hands-on technology demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, fireside chats, physician-led panels, workshops, watch parties and live entertainment. Thousands of health care executives, startups, engineers, researchers, students and creatives are expected to converge to explore how technology and research are reshaping the future of care delivery.

“At Tampa General, innovation isn’t just an initiative — it’s who we are as an academic health system. Every day, we pursue new solutions that advance patient safety, elevate quality of care and reimagine what’s possible,” said Rachel Feinman, senior vice president of innovation, ventures and digital solutions at Tampa General. “TGH Innovation Week puts our team members and physicians at the center, offering a dynamic lineup built to ignite curiosity, inspire bold thinking and accelerate solutions that enhance the overall care experience.”

TGH Innovation Week first launched in 2024 designed to inspire team members to accelerate innovation across the system and empower them to play an active role in bringing innovative ideas to life with tangible tools and takeaways.

Building on the theme “Inspire. Empower. Practice.,” TGH Innovation Week will showcase how Tampa General’s culture of innovation drives its mission to deliver exceptional patient care and advance medical research, treatment and education. Over several days, the health system will host a dynamic lineup of events, including:

  • Feb. 10 – TGH Innovation Awards & Pitch Competition
    With over 800 leaders joining from across the health system, TGH Innovation Awards will celebrate bold ideas and the entrepreneurial spirit of the organization. The event continues with a Shark Tank–style pitch competition where team members present innovative concepts designed to elevate patient care, enhance the team member experience and strengthen the Tampa Bay community, with the winning concept earning the chance to bring their idea to life at TGH.
  • Feb. 11 – TGH Innovation Center Ribbon Cutting
    Tampa General Hospital will celebrate the grand opening of its new 32,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Ybor City. The Innovation Center will house TGH’s innovation team, TGH Ventures, analytics and IT teams, along with the TMRD headquarters. It will also serve as the Tampa headquarters for tech giant Palantir.
  • Feb. 11 – Innovation After Dark
    A night of community and music exclusively for TGH team members, physicians and NEXT Summit attendees on the lawn at Sparkman Wharf in partnership with Gasparilla Music Foundation, supporting local emerging artists.
  • Feb. 11–12 – NEXT Summit presented by TGH
    A curated gathering of health care, technology and business leaders focused on innovations transforming the business of healthcare. Featured speakers include:
    • Governor Jeb Bush, Chairman and Founding Partner, Finback Investment Partners
    • Cathie Wood, CEO & CIO, Ark Invest
    • Catherine Estrampes, President & CEO, GE HealthCare (U.S. and Canada)
    • Geoffrey Zakarian, Executive Chef, Zakarian Hospitality
    • Jeremy David & Drew Goldstein, Co-Heads of U.S. Healthcare, Palantir Technologies
    • William McKeon, President & CEO, Texas Medical Center
    • Michelle Wahler, Founder & Former CEO, Beyond Yoga; Angel Investor

For a full lineup of speakers, click here

  • Feb. 12 – GE HealthCare Allia™ Moveo Ribbon Cutting at USF Health
    CAMLS Leaders from Tampa General Hospital, USF Health and GE HealthCare celebrate a transformative investment in the Tampa Medical & Research District (TMRD). Hosted at the world-renowned Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), this special event commemorates the ribbon cutting of the new GE Allia™ Moveo robotic imaging system – an advanced platform that further strengthens the partnership between Tampa General Hospital and USF Health and reinforces Tampa’s growing leadership in academic medicine and technology-enabled care.
  • Feb. 13 – Lessons from the Arena: A Fireside Chat with Former BayCare CEO, Tommy Inzina
    The week will conclude with an exclusive fireside chat featuring Tampa General President & CEO, John Couris with former BayCare CEO Tommy Inzina, hosted at The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. The conversation will highlight authentic leadership, collaboration, and driving innovation across the health care industry.