Tampa General Hospital announced a major executive leadership promotion today. The organization promoted Lijah Lokenauth to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. This strategic appointment takes effect officially on January 4, 2027. Lokenauth currently serves as Senior Vice President of Finance for the organization. In his new position, he will supervise financial planning and operations. In addition, in this capacity, he promotes sustainability and strategic objectives at Tampa General Hospital. Through strategic leadership, he has ensured the allocation of necessary resources and planning for the accomplishment of the objectives of Florida’s most prestigious academic health care system.
This appointment is evidence of the dedication and determination that the organization has toward building its leaders internally. After being recruited to Tampa General Hospital in 2018, Lokenauth gradually took on more complicated roles related to financial management. He enhanced the financial management systems of the organization and decision-making skills in all departments. In addition, he contributed greatly to improving financial reporting, decision-making, and productivity management of all departments.
“Lijah is a steady, collaborative and highly respected leader who has earned this opportunity through his accomplishments, skill, and his strategic collaborative approach to his work and supporting his colleagues,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center | Tampa General. “He has demonstrated sound judgment under pressure, a willingness to take on new challenges and a commitment to leading with the professionalism, curiosity, kindness, consistency and initiative that reflect our values. I’ve witnessed his growth firsthand, and I have tremendous confidence in his ability to lead our complex financial operations as we continue to expand access to academic medicine across Florida.”
Driving Strategic Expansion and Healthcare Financial Governance
Lokenauth collaborated directly with Couris and Runyon over recent months on key strategic initiatives. For instance, he helped advance the ambulatory care partnership with Mass General Brigham. He also supported the integration of TGH DeSoto into the network earlier this year. These major projects expand patient access to academic medicine throughout Florida. Furthermore, his efforts align financial strategy with disciplined resource allocation and core operational goals.
In 2018, Lokenauth started his professional life at Tampa General Hospital as a Corporate Controller. Eventually, he was promoted to the position of Vice President of Accounting & Finance and then became Senior Vice President. His current responsibilities involve budget management, revenue cycle, and operations optimization.
“I’m grateful for John’s confidence and leadership, the trust Tampa General has placed in me, and Mark’s mentorship and partnership over the years,” said Lokenauth. “What makes this next chapter exciting is not just how much we’ve grown, but the opportunity to build on that progress. As we look ahead, our focus will be on maintaining a strong financial foundation, making disciplined decisions about how we allocate our resources, and positioning the organization to navigate both the opportunities and challenges ahead. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to continuing that work alongside an exceptional leadership team.”
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Lijah and see his growth as a leader,” said Runyon. “He brings a deep understanding of our organization, a thoughtful and collaborative approach to decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to our vision of becoming the safest and most innovative academic health system in America. Lijah is exceptionally well prepared for this role, and his promotion reflects both his accomplishments and the confidence we have in his ability to guide Tampa General’s financial strategy into the future.”
Prior to joining the hospital, Lokenauth held key financial leadership roles at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. There, he led internal controls and finance teams to achieve multimillion-dollar operational savings. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and information systems from Queens College. Additionally, he holds credentials as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner.
Seamless Leadership Transition Ensures Continued System Growth
As part of this planned executive transition, Mark Runyon will assume a new role. Runyon becomes Executive Vice President of Executive Special Projects, reporting directly to Couris. Since joining Tampa General Hospital in 2020, Runyon guided the system through significant financial transformation. Notably, he navigated the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic successfully. He also raised over $1.2 billion in capital through bond financing and secured credit rating upgrades.
“Mark has been an invaluable partner and trusted adviser during some of the most significant moments in Tampa General’s history and in the process has become a dear friend,” Couris said. “His contributions have strengthened our financial position and helped prepare our organization for the future. This transition reflects the strength of that partnership and the importance of thoughtful succession planning. I’m grateful that Mark will continue lending his expertise and leadership to TGH.”
Ultimately, this executive elevation positions Tampa General Hospital for continuous expansion and robust financial stability.
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Source: PRNewswire
