Tampa General Hospital's Melissa Golombek Honored With 2026 Apogee Award by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

Executive vice president and president of Tampa General Hospital recognized for driving organizational excellence, innovation and community impact.

Tampa, FL (Sept. 29, 2026) – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) announced today that Melissa Golombek, executive vice president and president, Tampa General Hospital, has been honored with the 2026 Apogee Award in the President category for large organizations by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth (TBBW). Golombek was recognized alongside this year's other Apogee Award recipients during a ceremony held Sept. 23 at Armature Works in Tampa.

Presented annually by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, the Apogee Awards recognize outstanding executive leaders across the Tampa Bay region whose leadership, business performance and community impact have helped shape their organizations, industries and the regional economy. The program honors C-suite and senior executives across a range of leadership roles and industries.

"Melissa exemplifies the kind of transformational leader who elevates everyone around her," said John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center | Tampa General. "She leads with integrity, humility and purpose, while never losing sight of the people we serve. From driving strategic growth and operational excellence to mentoring future leaders and fostering a culture where innovation can thrive, Melissa has made an extraordinary impact on our organization and our community. This recognition is incredibly well deserved, and we are proud to celebrate this achievement alongside her."

As executive vice president and president of Tampa General Hospital's academic medical center on Davis Islands, Golombek oversees operations spanning more than 980 beds, 50 operating and procedural rooms and the region's only Level I Trauma Center. She also plays a central role in the strategic planning and development of Tampa General's new TGH Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower, scheduled to open in 2028, while helping advance the health system's mission to deliver world-class care, backed by the power of academic medicine.

Throughout her career at Tampa General, Golombek has built a reputation for pairing strategic vision with operational discipline. She helped lead the transformation of the health system's pediatric services into today's Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, partnering closely with the TGH Foundation to secure a transformational philanthropic investment while expanding pediatric capabilities, growing patient volumes and strengthening Tampa General's position as a destination for specialized care. Colleagues also credit her with championing significant capital investments, cultivating high-performing teams and creating a culture centered on empowerment, accountability and continuous improvement.

Beyond operational achievements, Golombek is widely recognized as a servant leader and mentor. She has fostered environments where feedback, collaboration and psychological safety enable team members to grow professionally, while remaining guided by a personal mission to leave healthcare better than she found it.

"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Tampa Bay Business & Wealth," said Golombek. "This award reflects the incredible physicians, nurses, team members and leaders I have the privilege of working alongside every day. Together, we are reimagining what healthcare can be by putting patients first, embracing innovation and investing in our people. I am grateful to be part of an organization whose mission inspires us to continually raise the bar for the communities we serve."

Golombek's leadership extends beyond the walls of Tampa General. She actively supports organizations and initiatives that strengthen the Tampa Bay community, including serving on the board of the Glazer Children's Museum and contributing her expertise through grant review work for the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. She is also an active participant in community engagement initiatives that advance children's health, education and wellness across the region.

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth is a regional business publication covering leadership, entrepreneurship, economic development and innovation across the Tampa Bay region. Through its annual Apogee Awards program, the publication recognizes distinguished executives whose leadership is driving meaningful business success and community impact.

Golombek is profiled alongside the full class of 2026 Apogee Award honorees here.