USF, Tampa General Hospital prepare to unite as a single medical group The deepened alliance between two long-time partners aims to increase patient access to more specialized care and clinical trials. Â Â Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida are combining resources to form what they said will be one of the largest academic medical groups in Florida. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times ] Published 2 hours ago The University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital announced Friday that they have decided on a name for their deepened alliance and that a national search would begin for its leader. The two institutions have worked together since USFâs medical school opened in the 1970s. But last summer they announced they would âalign administrative and clinical practice areas,â strengthening their affiliation and forming a new nonprofit organization that will combine more than 1,400 employees.