BayCare Medical Group Expanding in Southeast Winter Haven

Winter Haven, Fla., (September 9, 2015) – Bulldozers have started clearing land at the State Farm property donated to the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation to help improve access to affordable health care. The bulldozers will soon be replaced with crews from Henkelman Construction to build 5,300 square feet of clinic space for BayCare Medical Group.

Winter Haven Hospital, part of the BayCare Health System, is financing the project at a cost of $2.3 million for the first phase. This phase includes one building, two parking lots, a covered breezeway, and a retention area. The interior of the building will house 12 exam rooms, six provider office spaces, two larger rooms for procedures, a phlebotomy station, and plenty of storage and support space.

BayCare Medical Group, also part of BayCare Health System, has more than 450 providers and 30 specialties in more than 100 locations. Their current clinics in Polk County include six family health centers, two cardiac specialists, urology and oncology.

The 3.33 acre property sits at 7599 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, on the southeast corner of State Farm’s Florida headquarters site. State Farm donated the property to the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation to further their mission of helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams.

“State Farm is proud to be a partner with Winter Haven Hospital,” said Chris Neal, State Farm Public Affairs Manager. “This new addition promises to increase medical care access in our community and bring new jobs to our economy.  A vibrant health care system in Winter Haven has a strong impact on our community being a great place to live and work.”

Future phases of the project allow for nearly 16,000 total square feet of improvements. The first phase will be built to easily accommodate additions, and all of the interior rooms will be fully plumbed to provide flexibility. Furthermore, the parking and retention areas to be built in this phase will meet the federal requirements for a 16,000 square foot medical clinic. 

“We’re excited to begin construction,” said Steve Nierman, president of Winter Haven Hospital. “The building itself is designed to grow with the future health care needs of Winter Haven and the Ridge corridor. Adding access to more primary care and specialists is a priority of BayCare and Winter Haven Hospital, and we’re making that happen with this project.”

Joel Thomas, president of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, adds, “State Farm is, the proverbial good neighbor. They are always seeking to improve and protect the lives of others. On behalf of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees we want to express how grateful we are for State Farm’s magnificent investment in our not-for-profit organization and the community we serve. State Farm’s visionary gift allows the Foundation to provide Winter Haven Hospital with one of the most visible and valuable pieces of real estate in East Polk County for a new medical clinic.”

Construction will begin in September with a projected completion date in spring of 2016.

About the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation

The Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, Inc. is an independent, Winter Haven based, not-for-profit charitable institution governed by a board of volunteer trustees who serve without pay. The Foundation cultivates philanthropic support to provide patients with state-of-the-art medical care, cutting-edge technology and equipment, and the best educated and trained personnel. All funds raised are retained locally and utilized to support the not-for-profit patient care mission of Winter Haven Hospital.

About Winter Haven Hospital

Winter Haven Hospital, Inc. located in Winter Haven, Florida, includes a 468-bed acute care hospital and a 61-bed obstetric hospital, respectively referred to as Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven Women’s Hospital. Winter Haven Hospital, Inc. joined the BayCare Health System in August 2013. Winter Haven Hospital was founded in 1926, and today concentrates in the treatment of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and behavioral health. The hospital also provides emergency care; outpatient diabetes education; endoscopy services; neurological, orthopedic and in-patient rehabilitation; outpatient surgery; and imaging services. The Women’s Hospital opened in 1987 and specializes in maternity services, neonatal care, women’s surgery, and breast health. For more information, call (863) 293-1121 or visit WinterHavenHospital.org.

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 13 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.

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