South Florida Baptist Hospital Team Member Celebrates 50 Years of Service

PLANT CITY, Fla., June 13, 2019 – In the summer of 1969:

• Frank Sinatra was still waiting for his newly released song, “My Way,” to gain popularity.
• Fashion-conscious women were dressing like Twiggy.
• People were watching “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” on television and “Midnight Cowboy” with Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman at the movies.
• Theater-lovers were buying tickets to see the revival of “Oklahoma!” on Broadway.
• Music lovers were listening to “Get Back” by The Beatles with Billy Preston and preparing to go to Woodstock.
• Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins were preparing for their Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
• Early Christmas shoppers were buying Silly String, Big Wheels and Nerf Balls.
• Drivers were filling their tanks for 35¢ a gallon.
• Jill Moon was beginning her new job at South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, FL.

“My first boss was James Farmer, assistant administrator, who took a chance on a young girl right out of high school,” Moon said.  “I’m very grateful that he did.”

Moon has held many positions and seen myriad changes during her employment at South Florida Baptist Hospital.  She has been a charge clerk, accounting clerk, accounts payable clerk, admitting clerk, secretary to the assistant administrator, executive assistant to the chief financial officer and medical staff coordinator, the position she holds today.  Leadership has changed seven times during her tenure.  Administrators and Presidents have included Bert Davidson, Hansel Holmes, Dale Howard, William Anderson, Bill Ulbricht, Steve Nierman and Karen Kerr.  The hospital has added a new wing, surgical center, Emergency Department and intensive care unit, and become part of BayCare Health System.  Computers have replaced many of her former job tools – printing machines, typewriters, bookkeeping machines and adding machines.

Moon loves the family atmosphere at South Florida Baptist Hospital. “My best memories are bringing my daughter, when she was little, to the many fun activities for children of team members,” Moon said.  “Team members truly care about one another.”  

About South Florida Baptist Hospital
Since 1953, South Florida Baptist Hospital has served Plant City and surrounding areas as a not-for-profit community hospital.  The progressive, 147-bed acute care facility offers a full range of diagnostic, rehabilitative, surgical, therapeutic and women’s services, including obstetrics.  South Florida Baptist Hospital is part of the BayCare Health System, a family of health care providers consisting of the 15 leading not-for-profit hospitals in the Tampa Bay region.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.