HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital announces Elliott Wiser as new board chair
St. Petersburg, FL — HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital is proud to announce that longtime community leader and media pioneer Elliott Wiser has been elected as the new chair of the board of trustees. This marks Wiser’s third term serving as board chair for the St. Petersburg hospital, underscoring his deep commitment to the organization, its patients and the region it serves.
Wiser brings with him a distinguished track record of leadership within HCA Healthcare. In addition to his decades of executive experience in the media industry, he also previously served as board chair for HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital, strengthening his longstanding connection to both hospitals and their missions.
A transformative figure in Tampa Bay’s media landscape, Wiser spent nearly 40 years in broadcasting, most notably creating Bay News 9 and later Bright House Sports Network, shaping how the region consumes local news, weather and sports. His innovative work earned national recognition, including a prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award for digital excellence.
Beyond his media career, Wiser has been deeply involved in civic and nonprofit leadership across Tampa Bay, including past roles with the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Dali Museum, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and multiple healthcare institutions across the region.
Today, he serves as a journalism professor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he also produces internationally streamed podcasts.
“HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital has been a pillar of care for our community, and I’m proud to support the incredible physicians, nurses and team members who make that possible every day,” said Elliot Wiser, board of trustees chair, HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital. “I look forward to helping guide our continued growth and strengthening the vital services we provide to the community I care so deeply about.”
As Board Chair, Wiser will help steer strategic oversight, quality initiatives and community engagement for HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital as it continues its commitment to delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care to the region.