Tampa General Hospital is working to improve health care access in rural Palm Beach County communities

Tampa General Hospital and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County reached an agreement for Tampa General to provide administrative leadership, operational management and strategic support for Lakeside Medical Center, the Health Care District’s public teaching hospital in Belle Glade.

Florida’s rural areas, like other states, have historically experienced a lack of access to high-quality health care, and suffered worse outcomes.

While Florida has made strides in closing the gap, there is more work to be done. Studies have shown rural communities experience a 40% higher preventable hospitalization rate and a 23% higher mortality rate compared to urban communities.

– Peter Schorsch, Florida Politics