South Florida Baptist Hospital Opens New Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

South Florida Baptist Hospital is marking another milestone in its long history with the opening of a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The Level II NICU, which opened Oct. 1, is part of the BayCare Kids continuum of care as the largest provider of women’s and children’s health services in West Central Florida.  

The $2.4 million project transformed part of the hospital’s fourth-floor Mom and Baby unit into eight private NICU rooms, including one designed for twin care, to provide advanced care for babies born prematurely, underweight or in need of specialized therapies like IV treatments or respiratory care. 

“We are very excited about the opening of our new NICU,” said South Florida Baptist Hospital President Karen Kerr. “Since the inception of South Florida Baptist Hospital, our Labor and Delivery unit has been a source of pride. To now be able to offer an even higher level of care to Plant City families will be a great service to our community.” 

The new NICU will be staffed 24/7 with neonatologists and advanced practitioners specializing in neonatal care, ensuring the highest levels of clinical excellence. Families will also have peace of mind with advanced technologies like the AngelEye visual monitoring system and Hugs Infant Protection system, which help keep babies safe and secure. 

AngelEye technology allows family members to livestream video of their babies in real time through a phone, tablet or computer when they cannot be with them physically, while the Hugs security alert system ensures only authorized caregivers can transport babies outside the NICU.  

The NICU also features a comfort room equipped with seating, a private bathroom with shower, and small kitchen for families to gather during their newborn’s extended stay. 

“One of the best things about having a Level II NICU in-house is that in most cases, it allows families to stay together without having to be separated to receive advanced neonatal care,” said South Florida Baptist Hospital Nurse Manager Mayra Garcia. “Newborns needing critical care support will still have access to BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital’s Level IV NICU, which offers the most advanced care possible.” 

With the opening of South Florida Baptist Hospital’s NICU, BayCare has upheld a promise to ensure that all seven of its delivering hospitals have at least a Level II NICU. Other BayCare hospitals with a NICU include the following: 

• St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa (Level IV) 
• Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor (Level III) 
• St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz (Level II)
• St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview (Level II)
• Winter Haven Women’s Hospital in Winter Haven (Level II)
• Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater (Level II) 

Looking ahead, BayCare Hospital Manatee—BayCare’s newest hospital set to open in 2028—will include a NICU, further demonstrating the health system’s commitment to providing comprehensive care to families. 

For more information: BayCare’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units and BayCare Kids