New Hospital Breaks Ground in Plant City

Replacement for South Florida Baptist Hospital Coming in 2024

The original plan was to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new South Florida Baptist Hospital in mid-August. Ironically, however, it was postponed so that the hospital team could focus on caring for the community during the most recent COVID spike, propelled by the spread of the Delta variant.

Finally, though, on Oct. 18, hospital leadership and community members came together to formally celebrate the start of construction of the new hospital in Plant City. The new hospital is located off Exit 22 of Interstate-4, east of the intersection of E. Sam Allen Road and North Park Road in a highly visible, high growth area less than four miles from the current location. An 85,000 square-foot medical office building will also be at the new site.

The event featured hospital president Karen Kerr, BayCare Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Waters, St. Joseph's-Baptist Board Chairman Ralph Garcia and South Florida Baptist’s Medical Board Chairman Dr. Juli Jeffrey, along with Plant City Mayor Rick Lott and hospital trustee chair Dub McGinnes.

Kerr highlighted changes the current structure has undergone and the need for a new facility.

“As our community continues to grow, we need to do the same. But we’ve run out of room at our current site. And that’s why we’re here today,” Karen said. “Our new hospital will feature 146 private rooms with the ability to expand. The new building will have 26 ICU beds and a 30-bed emergency department. We’re also adding four interventional/cardiac Cath suites and an 8-bed surgery center. It gives us room to add medical office space for outpatient lab services, physician offices, rehab and wound care services, among others.”