ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK) — Tampa General Hospital is taking over DeSoto Memorial Hospital, marking a new era for healthcare in DeSoto County.
The nearly 34,000 residents of DeSoto County and the 49-bed community hospital in Arcadia will now be under TGH’s care. The facility is now known as Tampa General Hospital, DeSoto.
“I believe strongly that your zip code should not determine the type of care you receive,” Florida Rep. Vanessa Oliver said.
Patients are currently transported daily to larger facilities, but soon they will have access to medical services for orthopedics, cardiology and complex neuro without needing to drive to a big city. A permanent helicopter set to be on site will speed up care.
“They’re going to be able to be here more instead of us having to stabilize and ship patients, transfer them to other hospitals,” Amanda Gleockler, vice president and chief nursing staff, said. “We’re going to be able to care for them right here at home, which is going to make it easier for the patient. It’s going to make it easier for their family.”
The transition also brings job security for hospital staff.
“Your jobs are safe. They’re secure,” John Couris, Tampa General’s president and CEO, said. “We’re here to build. We’re here to grow. We’re here to innovate. We’re here to build new programs and new services alongside of you.”
TGH is investing at least $45 million to improve the facility’s equipment and infrastructure.
“We’re still your hometown hospital. We always will be,” Gleockler said. “We’re still going to care for you. We’re still going to care for your families. We’re still committed to all of you, but now we have an opportunity to reach further, learn more, grow stronger, and bring more healthcare resources right here to our community.”
At least two patients are transferred daily. The goal is to get that number to zero.