The West Florida Division of AdventHealth has some of the nation’s brightest medical minds making lifesaving breakthroughs with surgical pioneers, scientists and researchers using leading-edge technology and innovation to deliver our brand of whole-person care with more than 17,000 team members.
Our network of care consists of 13 hospitals, eight freestanding offsite Emergency Rooms, and an employed medical group with hundreds of primary care and specialty care physicians across seven counties in the Tampa Bay, Ocala, Polk and Heartland regions.
AdventHealth is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care system with a mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, with hundreds of care sites and more than 50 hospitals across the United States.
David Ottati, President and CEO, AdventHealth West Florida Division
David holds a master’s in business administration from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, and Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Accounting from Washington Adventist University, formerly Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland.
What in your view are AdventHealth’s greatest opportunities for growth in the short term, and the long term?
AdventHealth always operates with a growth mindset which enables us to achieve both short term and long-term success. We expect the trend of health care demand outpacing the supply in Florida to continue over the next few decades. This means we are well positioned for continued growth. More than 17,000 people moved to
Hillsborough County in the past year alone and projections show it will continue to grow.
Since 2019, AdventHealth has invested more than $790 Million in Hillsborough County alone. We are focused on meeting consumers where they are, creating access based on the market’s demand and identifying innovative ways to make accessing health care easier. That is why we invested $250M to build AdventHealth Riverview, which includes a medical office building that opens in July and a new full-service hospital opening in October. With 82 private patient rooms and emergency, cardiology, orthopedics, general surgery, bariatrics, labor and delivery and urology services, we are helping improve access to high-quality, whole-person health care in one of the fastest-growing areas in the Tampa Bay region.
Why do you feel it’s important to support economic development efforts?
It’s crucial for fostering a thriving community in Tampa Bay. When health care organizations like AdventHealth invest in economic development, the ripple effects are profound. Not only does it empower us to attract top-tier talent, but it also promotes economic mobility and lays the foundation for a sustainable future. By collaborating with different industries and attracting new businesses to Tampa Bay, we can take steps to help build a sustainable workforce and talent pipeline, inspire the next generation of health care workers, enable our team members to skill up and grow their careers, support local businesses and ultimately, cultivate a more prosperous and vibrant Tampa Bay community for generations to come.
Lastly, if you were at a conference with your peers and wanted to encourage physicians, researchers or other talented health care professionals to come to the Tampa area to build their career, what would you tell them to convince them?
Tampa Bay isn’t just a thriving hub for health care; it’s a place where health care professionals can enjoy a vibrant community to work, live and play in. Our region boasts a booming health care industry, with a remarkable 74 percent growth since 2020, offering countless career opportunities and leading-edge research facilities.
But what truly sets Tampa apart is its unmatched quality of life. This wonderful community is surrounded by water and incredible views, has professional NFL, NHL and MLB sports teams, attracts top talent for concert venues and performing arts centers, boasts a world-class and award-winning international airport, has a great public and private education system for children of all ages and top-rated colleges, nationally acclaimed city parks, and easy access to some of the most beautiful and top-rated beaches in the country. With a commitment to wellness ingrained in Tampa’s culture and a huge variety of outdoor activities to enjoy year-round, Tampa is not just a place to build a career—it’s a place you can call home.
