USF forms health system, announces partnership

Lakeland Regional Medical Center is preparing to become a University of South Florida teaching hospital. University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft on Wednesday made public the university's plan to create USF Health System and to connect with Lakeland Regional Medical Center as an inaugural member and teaching hospital. The Lakeland hospital will become a place of learning for USF medical students who serve out their residencies there. It is hoped the partnership will boost the number of local physicians and keep the hospital under local leadership.