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BayCare's St. Joseph's Hospital: A New Teaching Hospital Designation

On July 1, 2025, an important milestone for BayCare's St. Joseph's Hospital was achieved as it received the official designation as a statutory teaching hospital from the State of Florida. This recognition underscores BayCare's substantial investment in graduate medical education (GME) and its commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery in the region.

Significance of the Designation

The Agency for Health Care Administration granted this designation because BayCare operates five facilities under the St. Joseph's name, which include:

• - St. Joseph's Hospital
• - St. Joseph's Women's Hospital
• - St. Joseph's Children's Hospital (all located in Tampa)
• - St. Joseph's Hospital-North in Lutz
• - St. Joseph's Hospital-South in Riverview

This designation is pivotal as it represents more than just recognition; it signifies BayCare's growing role in training future healthcare professionals through its extensive GME programs.

Expanding Medical Education

Over the past academic year, BayCare has significantly increased the size of its GME programs. Nearly 300 residents are expected to train across BayCare's facilities, and this number is projected to rise to 650 by 2029. This expansion has been fueled in part by the support of the Florida Legislature, which has provided funding for graduate medical education.

Among the various residency programs offered at St. Joseph's Hospital are Internal Medicine (two programs), Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and a Transitional Year program, with a total of 135 residents participating. In addition, BayCare operates GME programs in several other hospitals across the region, including St. Anthony's Hospital and Morton Plant Hospital.

Impact on Local Healthcare

BayCare's Chief Physician Executive, Sowmya Viswanathan, commented on the rapid growth of their GME programs, which include 14 BayCare-sponsored and four university-sponsored programs. Research shows that over half of the medical residents tend to establish their practices in the communities where they train. Therefore, BayCare's commitment to medical education directly impacts the healthcare workforce in the region.

Affiliation with Medical Schools

According to Florida law, a statutory teaching hospital is defined as a facility affiliated with an accredited Florida medical school that has at least seven different accredited GME programs, coupled with 100 or more full-time equivalent resident physicians. St. Joseph's Hospital is affiliated with several prominent medical schools, including:

• - University of South Florida
• - University of Florida
• - Nova Southeastern University
• - Florida State University
• - University of Central Florida
• - Lake Erie College of Medicine

This affiliation solidifies St. Joseph's role as a critical institution for training future physicians and supporting the healthcare infrastructure in Florida.

Strategic Collaborations

To further enhance its medical educational efforts, BayCare recently announced a collaborative initiative with Northwestern Medicine, a leader in academic healthcare based in Chicago. This partnership aims to broaden access to advanced medical treatments, bolster clinical research, and improve training for both current and future healthcare professionals.

BayCare President and CEO, Stephanie Conners, expressed the importance of this designation by stating that it validates their commitment to advancing academic medicine throughout West Central Florida. Conners emphasized the need for a stronger connection between clinical care and academic excellence, asserting that BayCare is best positioned to deliver on this objective.

Conclusion

With its designation as a statutory teaching hospital, BayCare's St. Joseph's Hospital is well on its way to becoming a cornerstone for medical education and training in Florida. By investing in the future of healthcare and enhancing clinical capabilities, BayCare is not only nurturing a new generation of healthcare providers but is also ensuring that it meets the evolving healthcare needs of the communities it serves. For more information on BayCare's initiatives and programs, visit BayCare.org.