With the Expansion of Tampa General to DeSoto County, Florida’s Premier Academic Health System Strengthens Access to Exceptional Care in Rural Communities

DeSoto Memorial Hospital is now TGH DeSoto.

Tampa, FL (Oct. 1, 2026) — Tampa General Hospital (TGH) today welcomes patients in Florida’s Heartland to TGH DeSoto, formerly DeSoto Memorial Hospital. As Florida’s premier academic health system, TGH continues to expand its reach across the state, bringing greater access to exceptional care and specialized services to rural communities.

“Tampa General is making a long-term commitment to provide exceptional care in rural communities across Florida,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General | Florida Health Sciences Center. “Working together with the DeSoto County Hospital District, we’re maintaining the local access to care that is so important to this community, while connecting this region to the innovations, technologies, research and best-in-class care we offer across Tampa General’s academic health system.”

The DeSoto County Hospital District board selected Tampa General to take on ownership of DeSoto Memorial and assume management of the facility, operations, providers and team members. Tampa General committed to the Hospital District board and community to implement new innovations and technologies, expand services and bring additional specialists to meet the needs of the region while working closely with local physicians.

“This is the start of a new era in DeSoto County, one that comes with a new name for our hospital, a significant investment in the care we offer this region and a connection to one of the nation’s leading academic health systems,” said Vince Sica, senior vice president at Tampa General and hospital president at TGH DeSoto who served as the CEO of DeSoto Memorial Hospital. “But some things will never change: our commitment to care for the people of this community.”

Tampa General will also provide access to a highly specialized fleet of advanced medical aircraft, enabling comprehensive air ambulance and interfacility transport so patients in the DeSoto community can reach the right level of care when it matters most.

“In joining the Tampa General family, we will honor DeSoto Memorial’s history and what the Hospital District board, team members, physicians and community partners worked so hard for over the years: ensuring this community had great healthcare,” said Stacey Brandt, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and president, community and specialty hospital division at Tampa General Hospital. “TGH will add to that foundation by bringing in needed services, offering the latest technologies and innovations, and providing access to leading-edge research and treatments.”

TGH DeSoto is a 49-bed hospital in Arcadia. As the only hospital in DeSoto County, TGH DeSoto provides care for a wide range of urgent and life-threatening conditions. It also offers inpatient care, surgical, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, behavioral health and other medical services for residents in the region. Existing DeSoto Memorial team members will become part of Tampa General’s academic health system, including employed physicians and clinicians.

With the addition of TGH DeSoto, Tampa General’s academic health system now encompasses eight hospitals, including two specialty hospitals for inpatient rehabilitation and behavioral health, nearly 170 care locations and more than 15,000 team members and providers. The system provides the highest level of complex care to treat the most severe illnesses and conditions for patients across Florida. The system is recognized as one of the nation’s best hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report, with seven specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. TGH is committed to clinical excellence, patient safety, innovation, research, education, and patient satisfaction.