TGH Burn Center Earns Prestigious Reverification from American Burn Association

The recognition for excellence in adult and pediatric care underscores the role as a regional leader in advanced burn treatment and academic medicine.

Tampa, FL (June 26, 2026) – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) in partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine has once again earned verification from the American Burn Association (ABA) and the American College of Surgeons for the TGH Burn Center: A TECO Partnership. The recognition affirms the hospital’s commitment to providing the highest level of care for patients with complex burn injuries by upholding rigorous national standards across the full continuum of burn care, including emergency treatment, surgery, critical care and rehabilitation.

“This reverification underscores the expertise of our multidisciplinary team and our ongoing commitment to delivering advanced, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Nicholas J. Panetta, chief of the Tampa General Hospital Plastic Surgery Institute and Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “At Tampa General, we are proud to serve as a regional leader in burn care, providing specialized treatment and comprehensive support for patients and families at every stage of recovery.”

The TGH Burn Center is one of only six burn centers in Florida to receive reverification and remains one of just two in the state verified to care for both adult and pediatric patients. This elite designation reflects the center’s adherence to rigorous national standards for patient care, staffing, infrastructure and outcomes. Tampa General’s burn center cares for more than 500 adult patients and approximately 300 pediatric patients each year.

“Reverification from the American Burn Association reflects the consistency and discipline required to deliver high-quality burn care every day,” said Dr. Ram Velamuri, medical director of the TGH Burn Center and associate professor of plastic surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Our team is committed to providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care across the continuum for both adult and pediatric patients.”

Burn injuries are among the most complex forms of trauma, requiring highly specialized expertise. At TGH, patients benefit from a coordinated, multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, therapists and other specialists focused on optimizing outcomes and restoring quality of life.

The TGH Burn Center features an advanced, 18-bed unit that includes a six-bed, specialized Burn Intensive Care Unit and a 12-bed wound care unit, along with dedicated treatment rooms and a burn operating room. Equipped with advanced technology and designed to support high-acuity care, the unit enables clinicians to deliver:

• Advanced fluid resuscitation
• Respiratory support
• Pain management
• Complex wound care and monitoring

TGH is uniquely positioned to provide burn care across the lifespan. Pediatric patients are treated within the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH by dedicated teams trained in pediatric burn medicine, with access to intensive care, rehabilitation and long-term therapy services tailored to children’s needs. This dual adult and pediatric capability is a critical differentiator that allows families to access highly specialized care close to home.

“This reverification reflects the strength of our interdisciplinary teams and the systems we have in place to support patients and families throughout their recovery,” said Leah Toms, senior administrator, Adult Health Services, Plastic Institute. “Delivering this level of care requires coordination across highly specialized teams, and we are proud to support a program that serves as a critical resource for patients with complex burn injuries across the region.”

Care at the TGH Burn Center extends well beyond initial treatment, incorporating infection prevention, nutrition support, reconstructive care, rehabilitation and ongoing outpatient follow-up. Patients also have access to supportive programs that address both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery, reflecting TGH’s commitment to whole-person care.

The burn center’s work is further strengthened through longstanding community collaboration. In 2025, Tampa General formally recognized more than 30 years of partnership with Tampa Electric by naming the program the TGH Burn Center: A TECO Partnership, reflecting the organization’s continued investment in advancing care for patients across the region.