BayCare Health System Aquires Bartow Regional Medical Center

Clearwater, Fla., (December 31, 2015) – On January 1, 2016, BayCare Health System will assume full operation of the 72-bed Bartow Regional Medical Center from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc. 

“We expect a smooth transition and are delighted that Phil Minden will continue to lead the hospital as president,” said Glenn Waters, BayCare Hospital Division president and executive vice president.  “We’re glad he’s here and that his leadership will help us through the full transition.”

“It’s an exciting time for Bartow Regional as we endeavor to start a new chapter as part of BayCare,” Minden said.  “I am pleased to be staying with Bartow Regional and I look forward to continuing our work of improving and expanding health care services for our community.”

“A second BayCare hospital in Polk County will help to anchor other health services needed by this large and growing county,” said Waters, “while forming the broader geographic footprint needed for future health care models like population health.”

Connecting Bartow Regional Medical Center with Winter Haven Hospital and South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City forms a triad of BayCare hospitals to anchor a continuum of broader community health services in Eastern Hillsborough and Polk County.

“Bartow Regional is well situated for a changing role in which hospitals will proactively engage with their physicians and the community to improve health in addition to caring for the sick that come through their hospital doors,” continued Waters.  “We’re very excited about welcoming Bartow Regional to a tight-knit, but diverse, family of Florida providers that span the care continuum.  As an integrated delivery system, BayCare encourages health care professionals to share best practices that improve quality and coordinate care for patients in four contiguous counties.”

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About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 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.  For more information visit www.baycare.org