BayCare celebrated the opening of its new Academic Health and Research Corridor (ARC) on Oct. 29, bringing specialty care, primary care, medical education and research together in one location.
The ARC is home to 15 BayCare Medical Group specialty clinics, BayCare’s largest primary care residency program clinic, an onsite laboratory and an outpatient research clinic. The new space is designed to make it easier for patients to access coordinated care while expanding opportunities for medical education and clinical research.
More than 100 residents in the internal medicine residency program at BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa are expected to see patients in the primary care clinic as the program grows.
“By bringing multispecialty care, medical education and research together in one location, the ARC gives patients greater access to coordinated care while creating an environment where physicians, residents and researchers can learn from one another. It’s an important part of our commitment to bringing advanced care and opportunities for clinical discovery closer to the communities we serve,” said Paul Lewis, MD, BayCare director and academics chief medical officer.
Specialty services available at the ARC include cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, hepatobiliary care, hematology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics and rheumatology, among others. Patients also can complete blood work at the onsite laboratory during the same visit, while the outpatient research clinic provides opportunities for physicians and patients to participate in clinical trials.
A dedication rooted in medical tradition
The opening celebration also included the dedication of a descendant of the Tree of Hippocrates, connecting a longstanding tradition of medicine with the future of patient care at BayCare. The tree was grown from a cutting connected to the Tree of Hippocrates on the Greek island of Kos, where tradition holds that Hippocrates taught students beneath the original tree. Descendant trees have been planted at medical schools and health care organizations around the world as symbols of medical knowledge, education and responsibility passed from one generation to the next.
“This tree connects the ancient tradition of physicians teaching physicians with the work happening across BayCare today. As it takes root and grows, it will remind us that medical knowledge must always be joined with humility, professionalism and humanity, and that our commitment to clinical excellence begins with the patients who place their trust in us,” said Sowmya Viswanathan, MD, BayCare chief physician executive.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a donor-supported bust of Hippocrates dedicated in memory of Dr. Benedict Maniscalco, recognizing his decades of leadership in cardiology at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
BayCare leaders were joined by dignitaries, community partners, donors, family members and residents for the celebration. Their participation reflected the collaboration behind the ARC and BayCare’s continued investment in patient care, medical education and research for the communities it serves.
Visit the BayCare Medical Group page to explore primary and specialty care services, find a physician and learn about appointment options.
