Joe Delatorre, President/CEO, Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital/Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health

In an interview with Invest:, Joe Delatorre, president of Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital and CEO of Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health, highlighted the transformative impact of Florida Medical Clinic’s integration with Orlando Health, including the upcoming 2026 hospital and expanded physician network. “This collaboration allows us to invest in talent, expand facilities, and offer a higher caliber of care than ever before for our patients and our community,” he noted.

How has Florida Medical Clinic’s integration with Orlando Health improved services and patient care?

The partnership with Orlando Health has accelerated our growth, improved quality, increased access to capital, and strengthened our ability to recruit top talent. One of our major initiatives is building a new hospital in Wesley Chapel, set to open in May 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to attract exceptional talent and offer services that were previously unavailable in the community.

Since our partnership began in August 2023, we’ve expanded significantly, adding over 60 new physicians, integrating over 100 Pinellas providers, and rebranding our company as Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health. This integration enhances patient access, strengthens hospital-physician collaborations, and raises the overall quality of care in the region.

What does this new chapter mean for the future of Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health and its role in the community?

Florida Medical Clinic spent 32 years as an independent multispecialty group, and our partnership with Orlando Health marks an exciting new chapter. This collaboration allows us to invest in talent, expand facilities, and offer a higher caliber of care than ever before. Strategic partnerships like this have the power to transform communities, and we’re excited about what the future holds.

What makes Tampa’s healthcare landscape unique and how is it evolving?

Tampa has some highly regarded healthcare organizations, and we’re working to further elevate the region by bringing in top medical talent. Years ago, patients often had to travel outside the area for specialized care. Now, we’re developing programs and recruiting experts so that residents can access high-quality services close to home. We look forward to announcing more key additions that will enhance care in our community.

Thinking about the physician group you lead, how is Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health expanding in the Tampa area?

Last year, we welcomed Bayfront Health Medical Group’s 140 providers — about 100 full-time physicians plus residents and staff — into our network. We formally rebranded them as Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health in November 2024.

This process was highly collaborative, with physicians having a strong voice in the transition. We created governance structures, implemented management services, and streamlined operations. It has been an exciting and rewarding experience, and we’re thrilled to offer patients a more integrated healthcare network.

What are the major trends shaping healthcare, and how is Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health adapting?

A key trend is the rise of strategic partnerships between hospitals and physician groups. Orlando Health is collaborating with a physician group in Polk County as part of the creation of Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital. These alliances create more seamless care models and enhance service offerings for patients, so we are excited to play an integral role in the development of Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital.

How is Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health addressing the healthcare talent shortage?

Recruiting healthcare professionals, including physicians and support staff, is one of the biggest challenges in the industry. We’re working on multiple fronts to develop the next generation of healthcare workers.

One example is our strategic alliance with Pasco-Hernando State College, where we’re investing in their allied health training programs for nurses, medical assistants, and office staff. We’re also creating a training center that will provide hands-on training and collaboration opportunities.

On the physician side, by joining with Orlando Health, we significantly boost our ability to attract top talent. The resources and reputation of the system allows Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health to recruit nationally recognized experts who might not have considered Tampa before. This will be especially impactful as we prepare to open our new facility in 2026.

Turning to your role as president of this new hospital, how is Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital leveraging technology to enhance patient care?

With the construction of our new facility, we have the opportunity to incorporate state-of-the-art technology from the ground up. This includes advanced robotics, high-tech operating rooms, and enhanced patient communication systems. By integrating these innovations, we can improve efficiency, enhance the patient experience, and stay at the forefront of medical advancements.

How does Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital engage with the community?

We’re deeply committed to community engagement, both through direct patient care and our nonprofit partnerships. Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health has over 500 providers and sees over 5,000 patients daily across 65 clinics in Tampa Bay. The new hospital facility will significantly expand this presence in this area to allow Pasco county residents to receive high-quality care close to home.

Orlando Health has a strong focus on our community impact, putting over $1.7 billion into community impact programs and services throughout our service area in 2023 alone. The Orlando Health Foundation staff have been a fantastic partner in expanding the impact of the legacy foundation we started during my time at Florida Medical Clinic. 

What role will Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital play in shaping Tampa Bay’s healthcare future?

Our top priority is delivering exceptional care while growing strategically. A major step in that direction is our new hospital, which will open in 2026. What makes this project unique is that it was designed in direct collaboration with physicians, something Orlando Health does as standard practice, though this model is not commonly seen in hospital development.

This facility will offer cutting-edge technology, advanced procedures, and a patient-centered experience. Our goal is to recruit nationally recognized specialists and provide quality medical care to our patients in our communities. 

Because this facility is part of the Orlando Health system, our patients will have expanded access to a wider variety of medical specialists and we will have the resources to continue attracting the most talented team members and improving the quality of care available to our communities. We’re confident that the steps we’re taking today will positively impact healthcare in Tampa Bay for years to come.