New TGH Diagnostic Center to open on U.S. 301 in Sun City Center
By LOIS KINDLE
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) will soon open a 10,000-square-foot diagnostic center that is designed to be a one-stop destination for folks who want care, convenience and efficiency in their medical services.
“We want to uncomplicate the process for you,” said Adam Smith, Tampa General’s vice president of ambulatory services. “We’re making a huge investment in our ambulatory network to reach out to consumers where they are and investing in the next generation of healthcare.
Tampa General Hospital is doing that in Sun City Center by combining urgent care, lab services, radiology and general practice medical care in one place and adding a patient care navigator to help residents make their way through the complex world of healthcare. The navigator can help with such things as finding a doctor, setting up and coordinating medical appointments, answering questions and more.
For example, the navigator will be available to anyone to help set up a first appointment, regardless of where the patient chooses to go. Then, if the patient’s doctors are in the Tampa General Hospital network, assistance will be provided in setting up successive appointments.
The Tampa General Medical Group physician practice is relocating from its current location in Sun City Center to the new site and will expand. Initially, it will include five general practice physicians and/or ARNPs.
“We’re discussing rotating in specialists, based on the needs of the community,” Smith said.
Tower Radiology will offer onsite radiology services at the diagnostic center, which will include X-rays, ultrasound imaging, mammography and DEXA scan testing. Its current office at 3862 S.R. 674 in Sun City Center will remain open.
The new diagnostic center is a pilot for Tampa General Hospital, which is investing $1 million to build out the space. Plans are eventually to replicate it in other communities and virtually, online.
Sun City Center was selected as the first site because of the community’s senior population and the rapid growth of communities surrounding it.
“There is a major need for quality care in the area,” Smith said.
“Our vision is simple,” said John Couris, Tampa General Hospital president and CEO. “We will be the safest and most innovative health system in the country. It will take us a decade to achieve this goal.
“One of the ways that we will do this is by providing the highest quality care at the lowest cost to patients we care for,” he continued. “Through our care-coordination program, we will continue to be the trusted healthcare provider for the state.”
The Tampa General Hospital Diagnostic Center will be at 16521 U.S. 301 N, Sun City Center, immediately west of the Walmart shopping plaza in Wimauma. The site will be golf cart accessible from East Del Webb Boulevard and feature golf cart charging stations.
Its target date for opening is June 1.