Tampa General diagnostic center opens in St. Pete

Tampa General Hospital has opened the first phase of a new diagnostic center that will provide urgent care, primary care and cancer care services to St. Petersburg. 

The services for the new 10,000-square-foot center at 4949 4th St. N. are provided by TGH Urgent Care, powered by Fast Track and care coordination services, with Tampa General Medical Group offering primary care and TGH Cancer Institute surgical oncology services, which is planned to debut in the coming weeks.

“Diagnostic centers are another way we are innovating the delivery of health care. By co-locating urgent care, primary care, and specialty care services we can offer patients convenient access to high-quality, comprehensive medical care instead of traveling to multiple locations,” TGH Executive Vice President and Chief Ambulatory Care Officer Adam Smith said in TGH’s news release. 

The 19-room center offers medical testing, diagnosis and treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries close to residents. It provides on-site diagnostic procedures such as X-rays and blood draws; pre-employment screenings for businesses, employment physicals, clearances and assessments for workers’ compensation injuries; and filling certain prescriptions. 

“Many Tampa General patients live in St. Petersburg and a new diagnostic center, conveniently located on 4th Street, will help support the health care needs of the community. Our intent is to provide a one-stop center for people who want convenient, affordable and quality health care and we look forward to bringing more primary care services to the St. Petersburg community at the diagnostic center,” Tampa General Medical Group Senior Administrator Dr. Karna Patel said in the release. 

More TGH news 

TGH also announced the TGH Cancer Institute has recently established an adult Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cell Therapies Unit that focuses on treating patients with aggressive blood cancers such as leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma and other cancers.

“As we continue to build a Cancer Institute that is at the forefront of innovative treatments for patients with complex cancers, the establishment of our state-of-the-art BMT and Cell Therapies Unit will broaden the portfolio of groundbreaking and life-saving treatment options for cancer patients in our state and beyond,” Dr. Eduardo Sotomayor, director of the TGH Cancer Institute, said in a statement. He’s recognized as an international pioneer in the field of immunology and hematologic tumors. 

“For many years, we have known of the life-saving properties of stem cells. However, we are just beginning to realize the power of an emerging field known as cell therapies. In our BMT and Cell Therapies unit, we aim to provide these therapies as well as make groundbreaking contributions to the field through innovative research,” he continued. 

The new unit debuted this spring. 

The TGH BMT Unit.

The expansion of the service line also allows TGH to provide a continuum of care rather than transferring patients to another facility. 

The patient rooms in the new unit are outfitted with large windows showing waterfront views from the Davis Island campus. It also is equipped with digital smart boards to help patients communicate with loved ones. There’s also a small refrigerator an exercise bike to help patients gain strength, and a couch that converts into a sleeping quarter for visiting family members.