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TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL’S EXPANDING PHYSICIAN NETWORK CONNECTS PATIENTS TO AN UNPARALLELED SUPPORT SYSTEM AND MEDICAL EXPERTISE
COAST
By Judy Alexandra DiEdwardo
outh Floridians with rare and complex medical conditions can now access world-class specialists and state-of-the-art treatments without leaving the state thanks to Tampa General Hospital’s innovative new physician network that brings expert care to the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
“With one phone call I can now deliver an entire team to my patients who require advanced care,” said Dr. Itzhak Shasha, a general surgery
Sspecialist who has been practicing in Palm Beach County since 1984. In 2021, Shasha and Dr. Daniel R. Higgins formed TGH General Surgeons of the Palm Beaches, becoming part of TGH’s growing physicians’ network of top surgeons, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, and oncologists, among others. “I’ve taken care of over 20,000 patients, and sometimes I am in need of resources that Tampa General Hospital is capable of providing,” said
—LYNN STOCKFORD
Shasha. “What this means for my patients here in West Palm Beach is, by me having access to one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers with cutting-edge technologies, resources, treatments, and studies, so do they.” When Shasha refers a patient to a colleague at TGH, Health Ambassador coordinators step in to guide the patient and their family through the entire process—from scheduling appointments and securing a private room to helping them fi nd a hotel. “For both the physician and the patient, it’s really incredible,” said Shasha. TGH General Surgeons of the Palm Beaches provides another layer of support for patient care, said TGH President and CEO John Couris. “Our goal with this affi liation is to provide East Coast patients with the resources and access to a highly robust academic institution,” Couris said. “With a general surgery offi ce located in their own neighborhood, patients can receive care there and, when needed, easily access Tampa General for highly complex care, then return to receive follow-up care on the East Coast with their treating physicians. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Currently, TGH receives about 5,000 transfers each year for rare and complex cases from across Florida. Additionally, the hospital has six medical helicopters that serve 23 surrounding counties and accepts approximately 20 transferred patients per month from physicians in Palm Beach and Martin counties.
“We’re creating a medical ecosystem,” said Couris. “TGH’s Health Ambassador Program guides patients and their families through the process, providing white-glove service from diagnosis to discharge, along with follow-up care planning back in the Palm Beaches.”
“Our fully integrated program ensures that patient transfers are a seamless process,” said Lynn Stockford, the TGH Health Ambassador Program and network development manager. A 30-year nursing veteran, Stockford educates health care providers and patients and also facilitates transfers through TGH’s ambassador team.
“We have personal contact with each patient and handle all the details for them, from making an appointment and scheduling a test, to preparing for surgery and arranging for a hotel and other travel needs
TGH operates locations on the East Coast, including the Cancer Center of South Florida in Palm Springs (above). It can also airlift East Coast patients via medical helicopter to TGH facilities on the West Coast (opposite page).
John Couris (right), president and CEO of TGH, noted that having East Coast partners Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches (left) as part of the TGH network means that Floridians will not have to travel far to fi nd the specialists and support they need.
if the patient and their family are coming from outside the Tampa Bay area,” said Stockford. “Our goal is to reduce stress, so patients and their families can focus on what matters most.”
The positive impact made by TGH’s ambassador team continues to grow, much like the academic medical center’s East Coast network.
Another South Florida physician group that has joined the TGH network is Advanced Kidney Care, led by Dr. David Amrose, a nephrologist and managing partner along with Dr. Imtiaz Ather, Dr. James Mullen, and Dr. Kerim Oncu. A leader in kidney care, TGH performed its fi rst kidney transplant in 1974. Since then, its Kidney Transplant Center (one of fi ve centers in TGH’s Transplant Institute) has performed more than 5,300 kidney transplants.
“We are thrilled to work with a renowned institution that is committed to delivering the highest-quality medical care for kidney disease, hypertension, and related disorders,” said Amrose. “It’s been a great experience working with TGH and its Health Ambassador Program, which provides a much easier pathway for our patients.”
A m r o s e e x p l a i n e d t h a t h e a n d h i s p a r t n e r s w a n t e d t o f o r g e a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h a t o p - r a t e d t r a n s p l a n t c e n t e r t h a t p r o v i d e s s u p e r i o r p r e - a n d p o s t - t r a n s p l a n t c a r e , w h i c h i s t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e i r p r a c t i c e ’ s r e f e r r a l s . I n p a r t i c u l a r , h e a p p l a u d e d T G H ’ s s y n c h r o n i z a t i o n a n d e f fi c i e n c y a s i t p e r t a i n s t o a v o i d i n g u n n e c e s s a r y d e l a y s — s o m e t h i n g h e s a w fi r s t h a n d i n t h e c a s e o f a r e c e n t k i d n e y t r a n s p l a n t c a n d i d a t e .
In addition to forging relationships, key partnerships have also been formed in an effort to further enhance care for South Florida patients.
Dr. Robert Scoma, a thoracic surgeon with nearly three decades of experience, has joined the TGH Cancer Institute while continuing to serve patients from his West Palm Beach location.
“ T h i s i s a n e x c i t i n g o p p o r t u n i t y t o w o r k w i t h a r e n o w n e d i n s t i t u t i o n t h a t i s c o m m i t t e d t o d e l i v e r i n g t h e h i g h e s t q u a l i t y i n c a n c e r c a r e , ” S c o m a s a i d .
“ T h e a d d i t i o n o f D r . S c o m a t o o u r t e a m w i l l e x p a n d o u r a b i l i t y t o c o n n e c t p a t i e n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e P a l m B e a c h a n d T r e a s u r e C o a s t a r e a t o i n n o v a t i v e c a n c e r t r e a t m e n t , ” s a i d D r . A b r a h a m S c h w a r z b e r g , s e n i o r v i c e p r e s i d e n t a n d c h i e f o f t h e T G H C a n c e r I n s t i t u t e a n d s e n i o r v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f n e t w o r k d e v e l o p m e n t a t T G H . “ D r . S c o m a i s a n i n c r e d i b l y g i f t e d a n d r e s p e c t e d s u r g e o n w h o d e l i v e r s n o t o n l y e x p e r t m e d i c a l c a r e b u t a l s o c o n c e r n a n d c o m p a s s i o n . ”
S c o m a ’ s p r a c t i c e i n c l u d e s a l l a s p e c t s o f t h o r a c i c s u r g i c a l o n c o l o g y , i n c l u d i n g l u n g c a n c e r , e s o p h a g e a l c a n c e r , m e s o t h e l i o m a , a n d m e d i a s t i n a l t u m o r s .
“My experience always informs my approach to treatment,” Scoma
AS FLORIDA’S HOSPITAL, WE WANT TO SUPPORT, COMPLEMENT, AND AUGMENT CARE CURRENTLY OFFERED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, SO THAT PATIENTS CAN GET WHAT THEY NEED WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THE STATE. NOW, THE FARTHEST THAT EAST COAST RESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO GO FOR WORLDCLASS CARE IS JUST A FEW HOURS’ DRIVE AWAY.”
—JOHN COURIS
The TGH Health Ambassador Program coordinates the transfer logistics for East Coast patients. As part of the program’s resources and services, TGH has six medical helicopters that serve the surrounding counties.
said. “My goal is to provide patients with the most comprehensive and personalized care possible. Aligning prehensive and personalized care possible. Aligning with Tampa General will help ensure I am providing with Tampa General will help ensure I am providing world-class cancer treatment.” world-class cancer treatment.”
TGH continued to bolster its East Coast footprint with
TGH continued to bolster its East Coast footprint with another game-changing addition. Dr. Steven Krumholz another game-changing addition. Dr. Steven Krumholz of Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches has also joined the of Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches has also joined the TGH network to better serve his South Florida patients. TGH network to better serve his South Florida patients.
“After nearly 40 years of providing next-level service
“After nearly 40 years of providing next-level service to our patients, we are thrilled to join forces with Tampa to our patients, we are thrilled to join forces with Tampa General Hospital and advance treatment for patients,” General Hospital and advance treatment for patients,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to provide our he said. “We look forward to continuing to provide our patients with the highest-quality care in the region.” patients with the highest-quality care in the region.”
TGH gastroenterology surgeons and specialists will
TGH gastroenterology surgeons and specialists will work in collaboration with Gastro Group physicians to work in collaboration with Gastro Group physicians to provide the most comprehensive treatment options in provide the most comprehensive treatment options in a seamless, coordinated manner.
“Floridians shouldn’t have to search the nation to
“Floridians shouldn’t have to search the nation to fi nd the best medical specialists,” said Couris. “As Florfi nd the best medical specialists,” said Couris. “As Florida’s hospital, we want to support, complement, and ida’s hospital, we want to support, complement, and augment care currently offered in the local communiaugment care currently offered in the local community, so that patients can get what they need without havty, so that patients can get what they need without having to leave the state. Now, the farthest that East Coast ing to leave the state. Now, the farthest that East Coast residents will have to go for world-class care is just a residents will have to go for world-class care is just a few hours’ drive away.”
