Tampa Bay: Trauma Care Remains Open at St. Joseph’s Hospital

October 09, 2024
The Florida Department of Health designated BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa as an interim Level 1 Trauma Center during Hurricane Milton to ensure critical care remains available.
BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa will remain operational during Hurricane Milton, providing critical adult and pediatric trauma care.

 

BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa has prepared to remain operational throughout Hurricane Milton, ensuring that the Tampa Bay region will have at least one trauma center available to accept new patients during the weather crisis.  

"St. Joseph’s is designated a Level 2 Trauma Center, but has the capacity, resources and expertise of a Level 1 Trauma Center," said President and CEO Stephanie Conners. The hospital is also a state-designated Pediatric Trauma Center. 

“I want to assure our region that there is trauma support available,” Conners said. “St. Joseph’s teams provide exceptional trauma care every day, including during major weather events such as Hurricane Helene. We plan to do so during Hurricane Milton, too.” 

In light of severe storms that have incapacitated other regional trauma centers in mandatory evacuation zones, St. Joseph’s Hospital’s role is especially crucial.   

St. Joseph’s physical location at 3001 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. is in flood zone X and evacuation zone E. That is an advantage, allowing for continuous operation even during severe weather events in hurricane season and other flooding events. St. Joseph’s operational resilience ensures uninterrupted service and guarantees that the region will receive trauma support during the most critical of times. 

St. Joseph’s is one of the 15 BayCare hospitals in West Central Florida that will remain operating throughout Hurricane Milton to serve the region’s acutely ill. Earlier this week, BayCare safely evacuated patients from a 16th hospital, Morton Plant North Bay in New Port Richey, to other BayCare hospitals because of a mandatory evacuation order. 

“BayCare is committed to serving our communities, especially during times of crisis,” Conners said. “Our extraordinary team members are prepared to help, especially now.”