A Quarter-Century of Serving West Central Florida

BayCare, West Central Florida’s leading, not-for-profit health care system, celebrated 25 years in 2022, a remarkable testament to the vision a small group of local hospitals embraced in 1997 to ensure that not-for-profit health care would remain strong in Tampa Bay.

BayCare’s 25th year was a true validation, as documented in the health system’s newest edition of its annual Report to the Community, which can be found at BayCare.org/AnnualReport.

For the fourth year, BayCare was recognized as among the nation’s top health care systems in all the ways that matter for the region that relies on the community-owned system: clinical outcomes, patient experience, operational efficiency, financial health and contributions to the community.

The health system also was recognized again by local and national reviews as a high-quality employer, something also important for a region where BayCare is among the largest private employers.

“BayCare has worked because we all have focused on our shared values, not the least of which is a deep, shared passion for compassionate care for all,” said Sister Pat Shirley, OSF, Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and a BayCare trustee.

The new Report to the Community provides a window into what that work meant in 2022. BayCare weathered the waning impact of the COVID-19 pandemic even as it advanced the region’s health care through embracing new opportunities with digital health; through designing protocols for better patient outcomes and efficiency; by deepening its commitment to treating the whole person; by investing more in communities’ health needs; and by continuing its long tradition as one of the region’s best employers.

Construction progressed on a replacement facility for one of BayCare’s founding member hospitals, South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, as did finishing touches on its 16th hospital, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, which opened in March 2023.

BayCare welcomed a new president and CEO, Stephanie Conners, in 2022, as Tommy Inzina, who led BayCare as president and CEO for six years, retired.

Conners, who began her career as a nurse, said, “I’m committed to ensuring that BayCare remains the Best Place to Work, the Best Place to Practice and the Best Place to Receive Care.”

BayCare is West Central Florida’s largest provider of pediatric and behavioral health services, and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare’s diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgery centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida’s largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. Its Medicare Advantage insurance plan, BayCarePlus®, serves more than 13,000 people.

All this progress and service to the community wouldn’t be possible without more than 30,000 team members and the support of community physicians and advanced care providers. With their talents and commitment to patients, BayCare will continue to deliver on its mission to improve the health of all it serves.

BayCare