Being an accounting professional that focuses on serving clients in the Healthcare space, I was especially excited for Healthcare day and the opportunity to see this industry “come to life” beyond just the lens of financial reports that I am used to. In that regard, our experience far exceeded my expectations having learned unique perspectives, being exposed to diverse elements of the industry and also having the opportunity to experience hands-on demonstrations.
Our day began at St. Joseph’s Hospital North, a top 100 full-service hospital offering emergency department, intensive care, surgical services, obstetrics, cath lab, imaging and more. There, we took a deep dive into the topic of mental health where we learned from Gail Ryder, VP of Behavioral Health of Baycare, about the history of the discipline, the advancements in medicine since then as well as the various internal and external factors that are having an impact on the space today. This includes some recently relevant aspects that we have all lived through including the global COVID-19 pandemic, our political climate as well as the recent hurricanes that have impacted our immediate area. Next, we heard from Carrie Zeisse, President and CEO of Tampa Bay Thrives, which is an organization that was formed as a collective response to the region’s pressing mental health and substance abuse challenges. The organization brings approximately 30 community leaders from various sectors across Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk Counties to focuses on devising strategic solutions to enhance behavioral health and improve the lives of those seeking help. As Ms. Zeisse pointed out, it is inspiring to see how the community leaders that comprise of their board “compete like heck during the day, but collaborate so fiercely in the board room” in furthering their mission. Finally, Ms. Ryder returned to pay a touching tribute to a former colleague of hers and fellow Leadership Tampa Alumnus, Anthony Santucci. Mr. Santucci tragically took his own life in the Spring of 2024 and it provided a sobering reminder of how fragile life is and how the struggles of mental health could impact anybody. Ms. Ryder’s challenge to the group was to “Ask again.” In other words, don’t be satisfied by just asking the initial “how are you doing?” We must all challenge ourselves to ensure we are making an authentic connection and to truly ensure that others know that they are important and cared for.
Rounding out our time at St. Joseph’s Hospital North, we heard presentations from various members of Moffitt Cancer Center including Asmita Mishra, Medical Director Payer Strategies; Greg Sawyer, Chief BioEngineering Officer and Dana Rollison, VP and Chief Data officer. The presentation from Dr. Sawyer detailed the cutting-edge innovation being used to visualize the interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment using bio-printing techniques and precision engineering approaches. Ms. Mishra boasted that Moffitt Cancer Center was the first institution in the world to deliver Car T therapy, which is a cellular immunotherapy that uses the body’s own immune system to attack cancer. Lastly. Ms. Rollison explained how her department is making innovative uses of data in order to improve and push the boundaries of cancer research and treatment.
Next, the class was taken to Tampa General Hospital, a private not-for-profit hospital and one of the most comprehensive medical facilities in West Central Florida serving a dozen counties with a population in excess of 4 million. There, we were greeted by the hospital’s CEO, John Couris, for a very insightful session that covered topics including his vision for the hospital, his thoughts on the industry and its challenges as a whole as well as his opinion on the importance of contributing to building a strong and vibrant community in the city in which the hospital serves. During the session, Mr. Couris spoke about the brand new state of the art Neuroscience & Transplant Pavilion that has broken ground and is expected to open within the next three years. Additionally, Mr. Couris gave the group a preview of the various investments and innovation taking place with the goals of contributing to the development of a thriving research district. Mr. Couris’s vision and leadership over the years have transformed Tampa General Hospital into a leading academic medical institution including being named as a top 50 hospital in eight specialties according to the U.S. News and World Report.
We then heard from Dr. Nish Patel, Vice President and Chief Medical Informatics Officer, who presented on the topic of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Here, we learned about how this discipline is revolutionizing the industry and streamlining tasks and processes to allow for more focused time to be spent on matters that are more valuable to the patient leading to improved health outcomes. Despite these advancements and enthusiasm for innovation, Dr. Patel also explained that such benefits don’t come without their risks and potential drawbacks. Therefore, it is important that proper attention be placed on continuously evaluating the cost-benefits of this area.
Rounding out our visit at Tampa General Hospital was a discussion from Dr. Pete Chang, SVP and Chief Transformation Officer. Among the several topics that Dr. Chang spoke about was the health system’s hospital-at-home model, which provides hospital-level care for acute conditions typically cared for within the walls of a hospital. In Tampa General Hospital’s case, this approach has yielded exceptional results, with team member engagement scores consistently ranking in the top decile nationally, low hiring turnaround times and under 3% team member turnover since inception. This approach is also part of a larger vision of making the home the center to a patient’s overall healthcare experience and having all other health interaction revolve around it.
We finished our day at the USF Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa. This was a very hands-on portion of the day where we had the opportunity to tour the medical student space of the building as well as participate in a boot camp in the College’s Experiential Learning Lab. With regard to the medical student space, it was clear that no expense was spared in order to provide the students with state-of-the-art technology, space for learning and all the amenities necessary in order to foster innovation. From the immaculately kept laboratories, hologram machines and thoughtful details, it was clear that that this college has one of the most cutting-edge spaces to ensure that our next generation of healthcare professionals are well-trained. In the Experiential Learning Lab, we got to try our hand at checking heartbeats with stethoscopes, as well as using sonograms under the guidance of final year medical students. We also had the opportunity to learn more about the human body by observing an exhibition of human bodies that have been preserved using a process called plastination and dissected in order to display bodily systems.
In conclusion, our journey through the various facets of the healthcare industry was nothing short of enlightening and inspiring. From the profound insights into mental health at St. Joseph’s Hospital North, to the cutting-edge innovations at Moffitt Cancer Center, and the visionary leadership at Tampa General Hospital, each experience underscored the dynamic and impactful nature of this field. The hands-on learning at USF Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute further solidified our appreciation for the dedication and advancements driving healthcare forward. This immersive experience has not only broadened our understanding but also deepened our commitment to supporting and contributing to the growth and success of the healthcare sector.
