John Couris

President & CEO, Florida Health Sciences Center, Tampa

Since 2017, Couris has been president of Florida Health Sciences Center, which encompasses several organizations including Tampa General Hospital. TGH is one of the nation’s largest non-profit academic medical centers and research health systems, in partnership with the University of South Florida. Couris is also helping to establish the Tampa Medical and Research District spanning 1,500 acres in and around downtown Tampa.

EDUCATION: Boston University, (BS), Lesley University (MS), University of South Florida (Ph.D)

MENTOR: My mentor, Doug Brown, former president of Enterprise Fleets and executive vice president of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, once told me something that reframed how I think about laying the groundwork for long-term success ...'Never trade what you want most for what you want now.'

WHAT I’VE LEARNED:One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in business is captured by the adage, 'culture eats strategy for breakfast' Of course, strategy is essential, but it’s only effective if a strong, unified culture — driven by authenticity, kindness, transparency, vulnerability and empathy — is woven into the fabric of the organization executing it.