About

 Summary Timeline

History of Baptist Health Care


2024

  • Baptist’s second hybrid emergency department and urgent care center opens at Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile February 2024.

2023

  • The new Baptist Hospital campus opened on September 23, 2023 to meet the health care needs of today with the ability to expand and grow to meet needs in the future. Continuing our founder’s legacy, the new campus offers greater accessibility, new capabilities and improved technology in an environment that fosters comfort, calm and healing. On the same day, we closed our legacy campus of almost 73 years at E Street.

2022

  • Chad and Brooke Henderson donate $1 million to support the new Baptist Hospital campus. In honor of this gift, a second four-story, 80,000-square-foot medical office building on the new Baptist Hospital campus was named the Henderson Health Center.
  • Dr. Joe and Susan Story donate $1 million to support the new Baptist Hospital campus. To honor the couple for their generous gift, the main structure at Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine was named the Story Medical Office Building.
  • Baptist Health Care announces that Catalyst Healthcare will be building a medical office building (MOB) at the new hospital campus on Brent Lane.

2021

  • The Bear Family Foundation donates $4.5 million to Baptist Health Care Foundation to name health center on new Baptist Health Care campus.
  • Lee Family Donates $250,000 to Baptist Health Care Foundation for chapel at new hospital.
  • Baptist Medical Group announces the opening of its newest clinic, Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – Pine Forest.
  • John and Jerre Peacock pledge $500,000 to Baptist Health Care Foundation for the new campus at Brent Lane and I-110.
  • The Hunt family donates $250,000 to Baptist Health Care Foundation for the new campus at Brent Lane and I-110.
  • Margaret and Henry Stopp donate $250,000 to Baptist Health Care Foundation for the new campus at Brent Lane and I-110.
  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute (BHVI) celebrates a milestone in patient care of more than 1,000 structural heart procedures performed since the program began in 2014.
  • Baptist Health Care names entire workforce Legendary VOICES. The designation acknowledges the entire team’s tireless work throughout fiscal year 2020, which was filled with many challenges, including a mass casualty event, the pandemic and hurricane responses.
  • Baptist begins providing COVID-19 vaccinations to community through partnership with county health departments.

2020

  • Baptist opens area's first hybrid emergency department and urgent care center at Baptist Medical Park – Navarre September 2020.
  • Quint and Rishy Studer donate $500,000 to Baptist Health Care Foundation for the new campus at Brent Lane and I-110.
  • Press Ganey recognizes Baptist Health Care as Leading Innovator for rapid development of response to COVID-19. Baptist Hospital earns national recognition for lowering C-section rates. First group of Baptist Health Care front line workers vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Gulf Breeze Hospital receives the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® — Stroke Gold Plus Award, and Baptist Hospital earns the Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award.
  • Baptist Hospital earns Blue Distinction® Center+ designation for quality and cost-efficiency in knee and hip replacement surgeries. Baptist Health Care hosts virtual groundbreaking ceremony on new health campus under construction at I-110 and Brent Lane.
  • Gulf Breeze Hospital earns 5-star rating from CMS for fifth consecutive year.
  • Baptist Cancer Institute introduces High Risk Genetics Program for the early detection and prevention of cancer. Baptist becomes first hospital in Northwest Florida to adopt the SCOUT® wire-free radar localization system to be used in certain breast cancer surgical procedures.
  • Baptist treats first patient in Northwest Florida diagnosed with a new novel coronavirus that becomes known as COVID-19.
  • A large number of team members are transitioned to work-from-home status to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

2019

  • Baptist announces plans for new $550 million hospital to be built at the southwest corner of Brent Lane and I110. Completion expected 2023.
  • Baptist Hospital Laboratory Earns College of American Pathologists Accreditation for more than 50 Consecutive Years.
  • Baptist introduces DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international recognition program for registered nurses.

2018

  • Baptist Infusion Center relocation and expansion completed BHVI receives the American College of Cardiology’s ACTION Registry-2018 Platinum Performance Achievement Award.
  • Baptist Medical Group opens its newest clinic, Baptist Medical Group Convenient Care – Southtowne in downtown Pensacola.
  • Baptist Health Care was awarded the Philanthropic Faith-based Organization of the Year.
  • First to achieve dual accreditation from Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.
  • First to offer smallest pacemaker.
  • Baptist Medical Group - ENT first in the area to offer cochlear implants.

2017

  • Baptist Medical Group opens endocrinology clinic in the Towers on the Baptist Health Care campus.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Airport opens.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Pace opens.
  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute becomes the first health care provider to offer ECMO.
  • Andrew Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine celebrates 10 years of serving the community.
  • Andrews Institute Rehabilitation opens clinic at Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA in Downtown Pensacola.

2016

  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute completes 100th TAVR procedure.
  • Baptist Health Care and Andrews Institute partner with YMCA in new downtown location.
  • Baptist Health Care breaks ground for Baptist Medical Park - Airport, located at 5100 North 12th Avenue in Pensacola.
  • Baptist Health Care breaks ground for Baptist Medical Park - Pace located at 3874 Highway 90 Pace.
  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute opens its new $2.7 million location at the front entrance of Baptist Hospital.
  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute team is the first in the area to perform the Watchman procedures.
  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute performed its first transcatheter mitral valve repair using MitraClip - a life-saving procedure for individuals who otherwise would have no treatment options.

2015

  • Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute performed its 50th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) --a life-saving procedure for individuals who otherwise would have no treatment options.
  • Baptist Health Care is featured of Becker's '100 Hospitals with Great Orthopaedic Programs' list
  • Baptist Weight-Loss Center receives Blue Distinction® Center+ designation from Florida Blue.
  • Baptist Health Care is featured on Becker’s ‘150 Great Places to Work’ list.
  • The Heart & Vascular Institute’s Cardiodiagnostics Department (Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile) is granted full accreditation for Nuclear Cardiology by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. Baptist and Gulf Breeze hospitals receive an additional accreditation for Adult Transesophageal Echo.

2014

  • Chinese delegation of physicians and health care executives visits Baptist Hospital to learn about the Baptist Health Care culture.
  • Health and Hope Clinic opens downtown location on Baptist Hospital campus.
  • President and CEO Mark T. Faulkner is named vice chair/chairman-elect of the Florida Hospital Association 2014-15 Board of Trustees.
  • 2014 President and CEO Mark T. Faulkner is named vice chair/chairman-elect of the Florida Hospital Association 2014-15 Board of Trustees.

2013

  • Baptist Health Care and Cardiology Consultants opened a South Baldwin office in Foley, Ala., to provide area residents with routine diagnostic cardiac catheterizations and other procedures.
  • Baptist Health Care begins offering all private rooms to patients at all hospitals.
  • BHC’s Faith-In-Action committee support efforts that improve quality of life beyond our hospital walls. The committee teamed with the marketing web team to bring team members, “Beyond the Walls,” a website that includes a list of volunteer opportunities at agencies throughout the community. The site will help pair team members with service opportunities that will benefit from their skill set and passion.

2012

  • Baptist Health Care and Cardiology Consultants opened the Baptist Heart Rhythm Center, the first and only heart center in the region focused exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders known as arrhythmias.
  • Gulf Breeze Hospital opened its new, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, a $1 million investment designed to enhance patient access to innovative heart and vascular services.
  • Mark Faulkner succeeds Al Stubblefield and becomes fourth President and CEO in Baptist Health Care’s 60-year history.
  • Baptist Hospital completed an expansive two-story addition on the downtown campus to provide convenient access to the hospital, family areas and parking.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Navarre expanded its rehabilitation services. Andrews Institute Rehabilitation nearly doubled its size at the Park and can better serve patients recovering from a variety of conditions.
  • LifeFlight air ambulance celebrated 35 years of service to northwest Florida and south Alabama. The air ambulance program was the third in the United States and the first in the state of Florida to provide the life-saving service.
  • Baptist Health Care and Cardiology Consultants combined strengths in 2011 and integrated 28 physicians into the health care system with more than 610 years of collective experience in advancing heart care in the region. BHC was positioned as the regional leader in heart and vascular services.

2011

  • Gulf Breeze Hospital completed a $5 million expansion that added 10,000 square feet, an inpatient physical therapy department, and increased the number of total licensed beds from 65 to 77. This includes two additional ICU beds for a total of eight.
  • Baptist Medical Group celebrated reaching 100 primary care and specialist physicians - a milestone in providing convenient, quality care to the region.
  • Baptist Health Care celebrates 60 years of providing compassionate service in October.
  • Baptist Hospital unveils a new system of technology that analyzes blood samples for routine and innovative chemistry tests that are ordered by physicians.
  • Baptist Health care completes the first of five new hybrid operating rooms, the first in the region, designed to support minimally invasive surgeries.
  • Baptist Health Care launched digital mammography at Baptist and Gulf Breeze Hospitals and Baptist Medical Parks on Nine Mile Road and in Navarre. The benefits are improved ability to screen for and detect potential breast cancers.
  • Baptist Hospital is the first hospital in Florida to gain FDA approval to perform tomosynthesis (3-D digital mammography).
  • On Sept. 12, 2011, Baptist Health Care reached the 1,000th robotic surgery milestone, designating Baptist the most experienced and best equipped robotic surgical program in northwest Florida.

2010

  • Mark Faulkner is named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Baptist Health Care and president of Baptist Hospital.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile and Baptist Medical Park – Navarre each celebrated 10 years of service.
  • Gulf Breeze Hospital celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving the community and providing quality health care. Baptist Health Care opened the facility in 1985 to provide convenient access to hospital services for residents of south Santa Rosa, Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
  • Gulf Breeze Hospital breaks ground for an expansion that will add 10,000 square-feet to the second floor on the east side of the building. This will provide 10 new inpatient beds, a family waiting area and a 1,200-square-foot department for inpatient physical therapy.
  • Baptist Hospital breaks ground on a $24 million expansion project that will add a 2-story addition, which will include a new main entrance on Moreno Street, new operating rooms and updated restrooms.

2009

  • Baptist Health Care was chosen by the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) as one of six locations in America to participate in the “Cancer Patient Navigation” pilot project. The project is designed to help community hospitals enhance patient advocacy programs and increase outcomes and patient satisfaction. Baptist Health Care was one of 100 selected facilities.
  • The Baptist Health Care Foundation Women’s Board hosted “An Evening with Robin Roberts,” co–anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and breast cancer survivor.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile invested more than $2 million in the latest imaging technology, and the area’s first wide–open 3T MRI.
  • Baptist Health Care formed a new multi–specialty physician company, Baptist Medical Group (BMG) – providing physicians with the support needed to allow them to focus on their one true purpose – caring for patients. BMG physicians and staff are located in clinics throughout the communities of Pensacola, Pace, Perdido, Gulf Breeze and Navarre.
  • The Baptist Bariatric Center for Excellence was accredited in the LAP–BAND® Total Care Program – a comprehensive set of clinical and operational best practices designed to optimize outcomes prior to and following LAP–BAND® procedures. In addition, the Bariatric Center became one of the first hospitals in the country to offer patients REALIZE–Band C – a new adjustable gastric band.
  • Baptist Health Care and Jay Hospital celebrated 30 years of affiliation and service to the communities of Jay, Century and Flomaton.
  • Baptist Hospital acquires latest 64–slice CT scanner and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR) technology. The new scanner reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation, whiling increasing the clarity and quality of the image.
  • Baptist Hospital acquires second robotic surgical system to meet growing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures.

2008

  • Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Space Florida partner to offer Project Odyssey, a first–of–its–kind personal spaceflight medical program for commercial space tourists.
  • Four Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine physicians join the faculty of The University of West Florida (UWF) as research associates. The partnership provides world–class training to students studying athletic training and other health care disciplines.
  • To complement the Baptist Cancer Institute’s comprehensive breast care program, Baptist begins offering breast magnetic resonance–imaging (MRI) for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. MRI scans are more sensitive and can detect tissue abnormalities earlier. As a result, the American Cancer Society issued new guidelines for high–risk women to add an MRI scan to their annual mammogram.
  • The Baptist Cancer Institute introduces stereotactic radiosurgery, a new option for some hard–to–treat cancers and neurological dysfunctions. Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a highly concentrated, tightly focused dose of cancer–killing radiation. This treatment strategy can be more effective at killing or controlling certain types of cancer, making them more manageable and giving patients a higher quality of life.
  • Baptist Hospital’s robotic surgical system begins offering minimally invasive heart valve repair procedures.
  • Andrews Institute Rehabilitation replaces FirstRehab. Name change reflects Baptist Health Care system-wide association with Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.

2007

  • The Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine opens. A team effort between Baptist Health Care and world–renowned orthopaedic surgeon James Andrews, M.D., the Andrews Institute includes a state–of–the–art ambulatory surgery center, an athletic performance center, and a research and education center.
  • The region’s first three Tesla – or 3T – MRI, the most powerful magnetic resonance scanner available, is located at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. Twice as powerful as conventional MRIs, the 3T scanner means faster, more precise diagnoses and treatments.
  • Baptist Hospital is the first in northwest Florida to acquire a robotic surgical system that allows doctors to perform extremely complex operations through button–size incisions. da Vinci ® robotics offers reduced pain, blood loss and scarring while providing surgeons with more precise control.
  • The Baptist Cancer Institute launches the oncology patient navigator program. The program is designed to help patients from diagnosis to recovery. Patient navigators focus on providing patients one–on–one guidance through the health care system; advocating on the patient’s behalf with health care professionals and staff; working with patients and families to identify additional resources and support; ensuring that the patient’s treatment plan and follow–up care are in place; and educating patients on the disease process and treatment plans.

2006

  • A Baptist Hospital patient becomes the first in northwest Florida to undergo a new less–invasive surgical procedure that corrects atrial fibrillation by using high–intensity ultrasound energy to ablate selected heart tissue.
  • Internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeon James Andrews, M.D., joins Baptist Health Care in planning a world–class center for sports medicine. The $30.3 million Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine will include a clinical facility, an athletic performance enhancement center, and a research and education center.
  • Less than a year after Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Dennis lashes the Pensacola area. Once again, Baptist Health Care weathers the storm.
  • Baptist Hospital becomes the first in Northwest Florida to offer a test that can reveal whether a person carries genes for certain familial cancers of the breasts, ovaries and colon.

2004

  • Gulf Breeze Hospital opens an oncology center, outpatient physical therapy center and a second medical office building as part of a multi–phase, $25.5 million expansion.
  • Jay Hospital completes a $2.5 million expansion of its emergency and radiology departments and its surgery center, which includes an operating room, special procedures room and private recovery areas.
  • Hurricane Ivan batters northwest Florida and south Alabama, causing catastrophic damage throughout the area. All of Baptist Health Care’s hospitals remained in operation throughout the storm and as the area recovers.

2001

  • Baptist Health Care launches Get Healthy Pensacola! to encourage fitness, weight control and smoking cessation.
  • Baptist Hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary by conducting 50 community service projects throughout October.

2000

  • Over 1,300 leaders from 265 health care organization across the country have traveled to Baptist Health Care to benchmark patient satisfaction processes and leadership development programs.
  • Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile opens as 112,000 ft. ambulatory care complex at University Parkway and Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
  • Baptist Medical Park–Navarre, and ambulatory clinic in south Santa Rosa County, opens at 8888 Navarre Parkway.
  • Jay Hospital receives $2.5 million in state funding for renovations and expansion of its business office and emergency room waiting area.

1990s

  • 1999 Baptist Hospital initiates the region’s first autologous bone marrow transplant program.
  • Al Stubblefield succeeds Jim Vickery and becomes the third President and CEO in Baptist Health Care’s 48–year history.
  • 1998 Open heart surgery services are initiated at Baptist Hospital.
  • 1998 Construction begins on Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile.
  • 1997 Baptist Hospital was granted a Certificate of Need to begin providing open heart surgery services.
  • 1997 Announced plans for Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile at Pensacola’s Nine Mile Road and University Parkway, with two phases totaling $55.8 million.
  • 1997 Baptist Hospital broke ground on $2.5 million emergency room expansion.
  • 1997 Jay Hospital begins a renovation project that involves refurbishing all patient rooms and nurse stations.
  • 1997 Kugelman Cancer Center becomes first facility in region to offer radioactive seed implants for prostate cancer.
  • 1995 Baptist Health Care’s primary care network is expanded to 14 centers.
  • 1995 Baptist Health Care opens two new primary care centers. With the addition of several existing practices, this brings the total number of primary care centers to 21.
  • 1994 Baptist Health Care expands its primary care network, opening four new practices (West Side Family Medicine Center/Gulf Breeze Internal Medicine Center/ Pensacola Beach Family Medicine Center/Orange Beach Family Medicine Center) An additional existing family medicine practice is acquired.
  • 1993 The new centers for wound and infusion services are opened at Baptist Hospital.
  • 1993 The former Century Memorial Clinic, which was operated by University Hospital, becomes a department of Jay Hospital and is renamed Century Family Health Center.
  • 1992 After the Escambia County Commission closes University Hospital, Baptist Health Care and Sacred Heart Hospital develop a joint venture to keep its primary care clinics open. The clinics begin operating as Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNF).
  • 1992 Baptist Health Care acquires the psychiatric beds that were part of University Hospital.
  • 1992 Third Baptist Medical Tower opens along with a medical mall on the ground floor connecting the towers. The medical mail area includes a pharmacy, a durable medical supplier, and a cafe along with many outpatient services.
  • 1992 Expanded cardiac catheterization laboratory is opened near the coronary care unit at Baptist Hospital.
  • 1992 A new Heart Center is opened on the first floor of the Baptist Medical Towers. The Heart Center consolidates outpatient cardiology services under one roof.

1980s

  • 1989 Baptist Care Incorporated is reorganized as Baptist Health Care Corporation.
  • 1986 Work completed on $12 million expansion to Baptist Hospital that adds 45,000 square feet and includes a new surgical suite with a 16–bed recovery room, state–of–the–art surgical intensive nursing unit, clinical lab, central sterile area, energy center, and greatly enlarged and renovated lobby area.
  • 1985 Gulf Breeze Hospital opens.
  • 1985 SurgiCare outpatient surgical center opens in the Professional Office Building.
  • 1984 Construction begins on expansion of Baptist Hospital and construction of Gulf Breeze Hospital.
  • 1983 Baptist Care Incorporated is formed, encompassing both Baptist Regional Health Services and BCI Enterprises, which includes several for–profit enterprises.
  • 1983 Jim Vickery named President of Baptist Health Care, Incorporated; Pat Groner becomes President Emeritus.

1970s

  • 1979 The closing of Jay Hospital is averted when the Baptist Regional Health Services organization leases it from Santa Rosa County.
  • 1978 Baptist Regional Health Services is created to extend Baptist Hospital’s sophisticated care to smaller hospitals throughout Northwest Florida and South Alabama.
  • 1977 LifeFlight helicopter ambulance service is brought to Baptist Hospital, becoming the first hospital–based emergency helicopter program in Florida, the third in the United States.
  • Baptist Hospital joins other leading health care institutions in chartering Voluntary Hospitals of America as a national cooperative. With more than 800 hospitals, VHA is now the largest health care system in the United States.
  • 1976 The Women’s Board of the Foundation established.
  • 1975 The Foundation of Baptist Hospital is established August 13.
  • 1974 Construction begins on the first medical office building adjoining Baptist Hospital.
  • 1972 Baptist Hospital completes the largest expansion in its history, bringing total bed capacity to 520.

1960s

  • 1969 Baptist Hospital acquires the Hillhaven Home and converts it to the Rainwater Specialty Care Center (the building that later became Baptist Behavioral Health Unit).
  • 1964 A year of innovation – An expansion provides space for one of the nation’s first two outpatient surgery centers. An intensive coronary unit opens, one of the first four ICC units in the United States.

1950s

  • 1959 A major addition opens, bringing Baptist Hospital’s bed capacity to 325.
  • 1956 First expansion adds 40 beds.
  • 1956 Baptist Hospital begins working with Pensacola Junior College to create the first Associate of Arts nursing program in the southern portion of the United States.
  • 1951 Baptist Hospital opens. Though the facility has 148 beds, only 106 are initially placed into use. The hospital offers post–operative recovery room, the first in Florida and possibly the second in the United States.