Healthy Growth : New Medical Investments Create New Opportunities
by Aaron London
The Covid-19 pandemic is only the latest challenge facing healthcare in the First Coast Region . Between 2010 and 2019 the Sunshine State ’ s population grew by more than 14 %, according to the U . S . Census Bureau , and more than 20 % of Floridians are age 65 and above – increasing the need for a wide variety of healthcare services .
To meet those needs , healthcare organizations all over the First Coast Region have announced or completed major infrastructure projects , including new full-service hospitals .
BAPTIST HEALTH
To meet the growing need for health care services in Clay County , Baptist Health is building a full-service hospital on its existing Baptist Clay Medical Campus on Fleming Island , with an opening planned in 2022 .
The 300,000-square-foot , full-service hospital will open with 100 beds and include women ’ s services and enhanced cardiology services . The hospital will be designed with modern features , including placing diagnostic equipment near the ICU for patients who need it the most , corridors designed with calming LED lighting and centralized staff services to minimize noise .
Baptist Health is investing $ 200 million to build the new hospital , which will create 700 new jobs in Clay County .
ASCENSION / ST . VINCENT ’ S
Ascension St . Vincent ’ s St . Johns County new facility is located in the northeast quadrant of Interstate 95 and County Road 210 , part of a mixed-use development known as Fountains North .
The 150,000-square-foot project will open with 56 beds , including an eight-bed intensive-care unit , and provide emergency services , hospitalization , cardiovascular care , orthopedics and musculoskeletal care , general surgical services and laboratory and imaging services .
Baptist Clay Hospital rendering
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