Baptist Health Plans New Full-Service Hospital in Clay County

Late last week, Baptist Health announced its plans to build a new, full-service hospital next to its existing Clay Medical Campus on Fleming Island.

The 300,000 sq. ft. hospital will feature 100 beds and will be built at a cost of $200 million. Women’s services and enhanced cardiology services will receive dedicated space within the building. Planned amenities include large patient rooms, calming and energy-efficient lighting, an outdoor dining area, an outdoor path leading to the existing Black Creek Trail, and a Starbucks. A large conference room will also be featured within the building.

The new hospital will add to an existing campus that opened in 2013 and includes an adult emergency department, a Wolfson Children’s Hospital emergency department, and other specialty services including imaging labs and an ambulatory surgery center. It will become the second full-service hospital in Clay County, joining Ascenscion St. Vincent’s in Middleburg.

“Clay County residents tell us they need more hospital-based health care services close to where they live and work,” said Darin Roark, BSN, MBA, RN, FACHE, current vice president of Ambulatory Campuses and Emergency Services at Baptist Clay Medical Campus, who will serve as the new hospital’s president. “Having a full-service hospital nearby will eliminate the need for travel, while providing the medical expertise that Baptist Health is known for.”

Once completed, the hospital is expected to add 700 jobs within the Fleming Island community.

Baptist Health, founded locally in 1955, currently operates five full-service hospitals in the greater Jacksonville area including its main downtown campus as well as the adjacent Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Construction on the new Clay County hospital is set to begin this spring, and it is set to open in 2022.