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New Hospital Taking Shape in Plant City
August 03, 2022
All eyes gazed upward as the highest beam topped the newest building around, marking a construction milestone for the future South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, just north of 1-4.
That steel beam was covered in messages from more than 100 supporters - from elected officials and business leaders to construction workers and hospital team members – who signed before the ceremonial topping out.
“We’re very grateful for the continued support of our community as we build this location to replace our original hospital (301 N. Alexander Street) said hospital President Karen Kerr. “We know it means a lot to the people of Plant City.”
Ralph Garcia, chairman of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, noted the progress made since October’s groundbreaking.
“I learned a lot about what this hospital means to the community,” he said. “I’ve had a chance to round with Karen and meet the team. I look at this hospital as another great tool that you can give to this team to help them care for this wonderful community and its surrounding areas.”
The 420,000-square-foot hospital, located off Exit 22 of I-4, east of the intersection of East Sam Allen Road and N. Park Road, will be six floors tall with two, six-story towers. All 146 rooms will be private. The campus includes a medical office building for convenient access to physicians as well as services including rehabilitation, imaging, and wound care.
The $326 million hospital is projected to open by early 2024.
“This is such a historical day for those of us in Plant City,” said Mayor Nate Kilton. “A hospital is the arbiter of health and wellness in a community. The history we’ve had with South Florida Baptist and what it’s done for our community can’t be overstated. We’re in great hands for generations to come.”
Long-time board member Dub McGinnes reflected on the hospital’s history: “We are so proud of our leadership and team members. We have a great history here – it’s been 70 years since the first one was built – but it has even a brighter future.”
Barton Malow project executive Matt Wood said their involvement with the hospital fulfills the company’s mission.
“Our team charter says it will provide extraordinary health care services for Plant City and surrounding areas for generations to come,” Wood said. “It’s very fulfilling to be working on a project with a noble purpose.”
South Florida Baptist is a founding member of BayCare Health System, which was formed more than 25 years ago to continue providing not-for-profit health care to the Tampa Bay community with a mission to provide high-quality compassionate care to all it serves.
About BayCare
BayCare was formed in 1997 by a core group of local hospitals determined to continue providing not-for-profit health care to the Tampa Bay community with a unified mission: To provide high-quality, compassionate care to all we serve. Today, BayCare is recognized by FORTUNE/MERATIVE (formally IBM Watson Health) as being in the top 20 percent of large U.S. health care systems. Besides its 15 hospitals in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties, it includes an integrated system of ambulatory and physician services. The system's 16th hospital, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, is expected to open in 2023 in east Pasco County.
BayCare is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgery centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare.
BayCare is now one of the largest employers in the bay area, with 27,739 team members, with substantial economic impact. BayCare is also repeatedly recognized as a high-quality employer and has Great Place to Work® Certification™.
The BayCare Medicare Advantage insurance plan, BayCarePlus®, is among the region's few 5-star-rated plans.
For more insight into BayCare's commitment to high-quality care and its community, visit BayCare.org.