BayCare's Major Acquisition Boosts Tampa Health Services Expansion Significantly
In a substantial move to enhance health care services in West Central Florida, BayCare, the region's largest health care provider, has announced the acquisition of a 36-acre office parcel located just west of its St. Joseph's hospital campus in Tampa. This strategic purchase is part of BayCare's ongoing commitment to meet the growing health care needs of the community and aims to expand its operational capabilities significantly.
This new property, adjacent to the already expansive St. Joseph's network—which includes St. Joseph's Children's and St. Joseph's Women's hospitals—will increase BayCare's land holdings in the West Tampa area by over 75%. The acquisition includes three existing office buildings and two parking structures, providing essential resources to facilitate BayCare's expansion plans.
BayCare's CEO, Stephanie Conners, emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating, "As West Central Florida grows, so must BayCare to continue our mission to improve our communities' health." The new site not only allows for the consolidation of services from leased facilities but also sets the stage for future growth. This includes a focus on expanding the BayCare Medical Group's physician practices and establishing a headquarters for its burgeoning graduate medical education (GME) and research programs.
In the short term, BayCare plans to collaborate with the current tenants of the properties to ensure smooth transitions. Over time, there will be relocations and additions of BayCare offices and clinics, further enhancing the integrated health services offered in the area. Ultimately, plans include creating a vehicular bridge that will connect this newly acquired property directly to the hospital campus, allowing for seamless service delivery.
BayCare is also planning a new facility for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, scheduled to be completed by 2030, thereby increasing pediatric care resources. Furthermore, the health system's trauma center remains a crucial component of acute care for the entire region. As the population grows, BayCare has committed to expanding its graduate medical education programs to host 650 residents by 2029, thereby attracting high-caliber talent to the area.
The acquisition includes three key office buildings namely LakePointe One, LakePointe Two, and Spectrum, boasting a total of 615,656 square feet of office space along with 2,501 parking spaces. This vast increase in facilities is expected to significantly deepen the region's access to high-quality health care while creating an environment conducive to attracting top-tier medical professionals.
Kimberly Guy, BayCare's Chief Operating Officer, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the acquisition, stating, "To have this many centrally located medical resources together in a single campus will deepen our region's access to BayCare's high-quality, compassionate care." BayCare's mission remains focused on delivering superior health services that not only meet but exceed the expectations of the communities it serves.
As BayCare continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of its patients, this acquisition represents a pivotal moment for both the organization and the communities in West Central Florida. For more information about BayCare and its services, visit BayCare.org.