Graphic of Baptist Health Care celebrating 70 years (1951 to 2021) with text saying

A History of Transforming for the Future


Baptist Health Care is celebrating its 70th anniversary in October, marking the treatment of the first patient admitted to Baptist Hospital on Oct. 17, 1951.

Over the past 70 years, Baptist has expanded the community’s access to health care with services provided at three hospitals, four medical parks, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and an extensive network of primary care and specialty providers located in Northwest Florida. Throughout these many years, Baptist has pioneered countless innovative programs, services and technologies.

In 2023, a new era of modern health care will begin when the Baptist Health Care campus opens on Brent Lane. The new health campus represents the single largest investment in health care facilities, services and programs in Northwest Florida’s history. It will provide a central location for clinical care, programs and services via a new acute care hospital, multispecialty Bear Family Foundation Health Center and a behavioral medicine unit. Its parklike setting filled with heritage oaks, magnolia trees and other native landscaping will provide a calming backdrop for optimum healing and comfort. We are excited about the next chapter in our future.

The collection of photos in the gallery below is just a small representation of our many years of service to the community and the groundbreaking care we have provided. Such a walk down memory lane helps us remember our legacy, celebrate the incredible contributions made by those before us and look forward to the journey ahead. You can also view our timeline for more history about Baptist Health Care.

Photo gallery

1950s

  • Resting and reading Andersen's Fairy Tales.
  • A modern OR.
  • Nurses from original staff.
  • Original lab.
  • Baptist Hospital in the 50s
  • Program for the cornerstone that was placed a year before the hospital opened.
  • Baptist Hospital main entrance.
  • Aerial photo of original hospital.

1960s

  • Nurse rounding in new hospital rooms.
  • Teams at work.
  • Pat Groner celebrating Baptist Hospital expansion.
  • Nurse pinning.
  • Celebrating accomplishments.
  • Baptist Hospital front entrance with snazzy cars.
  • Visit by advice columnist Dear Abby to promote Easter Seals.
  • New team member training.

1970s

  • Breaking ground for professional office building.
  • Expansion changes the face Baptist.
  • Towers under construction.
  • Baptist Hospital LifeFlight – first air ambulance in Florida.
  • Mrs. Earl Gaston cuts ribbon opening for enlarged hospital.
  • Hospital leaders and local clergy at hospital expansion ceremony.
  • Jay Hospital joins Baptist.
  • Baptist Hospital Employee Foundation became a viable feature in hospital and community affairs.

1980s

  • The future site of Gulf Breeze Hospital.
  • The Gulf Breeze Hospital opens.
  • Clinical care on the floors.
  • Tours of Baptist Hospital expansion.
  • Team member busy at work—anerobic glove box.
  • Reward and recognition—a long-standing tradition. Congrats, Pop Freeman.
  • Volunteer luncheon.
  • Advanced in laser surgery.

1990s

  • Gulf Breeze Hospital celebrates charter employees.
  • New fancy food trays.
  • Jay Hospital scholarships.
  • Disaster drill training.
  • Baptist Hospital begins offering open heart surgery
  • The first team members recognized as Legends of Baptist Health Care.
  • Baptist Medical Park - Nine Mile opens.
  • Baptist Medical Park - Navarre opens.

2000s

  • Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine opens.
  • Team members check out latest technology.
  • Neighbors come together after Hurricane Ivan.
  • Trees fallen over due storm in front of Baptist Hospital.
  • Celebrity Robin Roberts speaks at a Foundation event.
  • Annual student physicals.
  • Team member health fair.
  • Women's Board 5k.

2010s

  • Celebrating acheivements.
  • Proud of new heart and vascular space.
  • Provider network continues to grow.
  • Nursing excellence claimed and redefined.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Airport opens.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Pace opens.
  • Baptist Hospital completes expansion project.
  • The canopy of oaks has provided shade for many celebrations.

2020s

  • Baptist breaks ground on new health campus at Brent Lane and I110.
  • After an unprecedented year, thankful team members welcome COVID-19 shots.
  • Baptist recognizes entire workforce as Legendary VOICES.
  • Teams get creative with much needed reward and recognition.
  • Celebrating survivorship!
  • Baptist plus construction and community partners unite for community outreach.
  • New campus construction—well underway, on budget and on schedule.
  • Hybrid ER and Urgent Care opens in Navarre Florida.

1950s

  • Resting and reading Andersen's Fairy Tales.
  • A modern OR.
  • Nurses from original staff.
  • Original lab.
  • Baptist Hospital in the 50s
  • Program for the cornerstone that was placed a year before the hospital opened.
  • Baptist Hospital main entrance.
  • Aerial photo of original hospital.

1960s

  • Nurse rounding in new hospital rooms.
  • Teams at work.
  • Pat Groner celebrating Baptist Hospital expansion.
  • Nurse pinning.
  • Celebrating accomplishments.
  • Baptist Hospital front entrance with snazzy cars.
  • Visit by advice columnist Dear Abby to promote Easter Seals.
  • New team member training.

1970s

  • Breaking ground for professional office building.
  • Expansion changes the face Baptist.
  • Towers under construction.
  • Baptist Hospital LifeFlight – first air ambulance in Florida.
  • Mrs. Earl Gaston cuts ribbon opening for enlarged hospital.
  • Hospital leaders and local clergy at hospital expansion ceremony.
  • Jay Hospital joins Baptist.
  • Baptist Hospital Employee Foundation became a viable feature in hospital and community affairs.

1980s

  • The future site of Gulf Breeze Hospital.
  • The Gulf Breeze Hospital opens.
  • Clinical care on the floors.
  • Tours of Baptist Hospital expansion.
  • Team member busy at work—anerobic glove box.
  • Reward and recognition—a long-standing tradition. Congrats, Pop Freeman.
  • Volunteer luncheon.
  • Advanced in laser surgery.

1990s

  • Gulf Breeze Hospital celebrates charter employees.
  • New fancy food trays.
  • Jay Hospital scholarships.
  • Disaster drill training.
  • Baptist Hospital begins offering open heart surgery
  • The first team members recognized as Legends of Baptist Health Care.
  • Baptist Medical Park - Nine Mile opens.
  • Baptist Medical Park - Navarre opens.

2000s

  • Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine opens.
  • Team members check out latest technology.
  • Neighbors come together after Hurricane Ivan.
  • Trees fallen over due storm in front of Baptist Hospital.
  • Celebrity Robin Roberts speaks at a Foundation event.
  • Annual student physicals.
  • Team member health fair.
  • Women's Board 5k.

2010s

  • Celebrating acheivements.
  • Proud of new heart and vascular space.
  • Provider network continues to grow.
  • Nursing excellence claimed and redefined.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Airport opens.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Pace opens.
  • Baptist Hospital completes expansion project.
  • The canopy of oaks has provided shade for many celebrations.

2020s

  • Baptist breaks ground on new health campus at Brent Lane and I110.
  • After an unprecedented year, thankful team members welcome COVID-19 shots.
  • Baptist recognizes entire workforce as Legendary VOICES.
  • Teams get creative with much needed reward and recognition.
  • Celebrating survivorship!
  • Baptist plus construction and community partners unite for community outreach.
  • New campus construction—well underway, on budget and on schedule.
  • Hybrid ER and Urgent Care opens in Navarre Florida.