Sen. Danny Burgess addressed Tampa General Hospital’s Veterans Day ceremony on its Davis Islands campus.
“Keep being the tip of the spear in healthcare,” Burgess told the veterans in the room.
Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican, is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and a former Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The ceremony recognized Tampa General team members who are veterans or active-duty military.
“Thank you for serving our country in uniform. Thank you for serving our state in healthcare. We’re better for it,” Burgess said.
“We’re proud to call many veterans, reservists and active military part of the Tampa General family, and we are grateful not only for their strength and leadership but the depth of experience, problem solving skills, dedication and teamwork they bring to our teams and community every day,” said John Couris, President and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center and Tampa General.
Burgess has served in the Senate since 2020 and represents parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties. He has served in the Army Reserve’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps since 2012 and has held the rank of Major since 2021.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to lead the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and he ran the agency from 2019 to 2020 before leaving to run for Senate. He previously served in the House, as Mayor of Zephyrhills and on the Zephyrhills City Council, where he won a seat at age 18.
Tampa General credited Burgess with legislation and pilot programs on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and suicide prevention for combat veterans and their families. As a House member, he filed a bill to create an alternative treatment pilot program for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. In 2022, DeSantis signed his bill requiring the department to offer suicide prevention training to veteran service organizations through a pilot program.
“Senator Burgess’ continued dedication to those who have served, particularly his recognition of the mental health challenges many veterans face, means a great deal to all of us,” said Doug Leonardo, CEO of TGH Behavioral Health Hospital and Executive Sponsor of the hospital’s Veterans Team Member Resource Group.
“Our veterans deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve our unwavering commitment to their health, well-being and quality of life.”
The resource group, a volunteer-led initiative of veterans, active military and supportive team members, organized the event. An honor guard from the Riverview High School JROTC took part, and Tiffany Aceituno, a Tampa General team member and veteran, sang the national anthem.
In February 2025, Tampa General announced a primary care clinic in Tampa that serves only veterans, reservists and National Guard members.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a retired Army Green Beret, spoke at last year’s ceremony.
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Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.
