Ardent Health Services and Ascension’s Sacred Heart Health System have completed the sale of Ardent’s interest in Bay Medical Sacred Heart to Ascension. The transaction includes the hospital and related physician clinic operations in Panama City and Bay County, Florida.
Sacred Heart has announced plans to launch a $47 million project to rebuild facilities and services at Bay Medical. Sacred Heart plans to reopen 144 beds in the hospital’s south tower and relocate other services and physician offices that were impacted by Hurricane Michael last year.
The rebuilding of Bay Medical will take place over the next year and create a facility with 185 private rooms. The improvements include major upgrades to information technology and creation of new space for physician offices and other services, including the laboratory, imaging and pharmacy.
“The caregivers and physicians of Sacred Heart are excited to continue working with our colleagues at Bay Medical in an even more fully aligned, clinically and operationally integrated relationship,” said Tom VanOsdol, Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Florida. “We look forward to applying the full expertise, resources and clinical excellence of Ascension to benefit the Panama City and Bay County individuals and families we are privileged to serve. As part of Ascension Florida, Bay Medical is now backed by the full strength and resources of a statewide and national health system that strives to provide personalized, compassionate care close to home.”
The hospital campus will undergo a major cleanup and beautification effort that will require demolition of some campus buildings. The project to enhance the appearance of the campus will result in additional parking and space for potential future growth.
“We are excited about the future of Bay Medical and this opportunity to rebuild healthcare services to benefit all the residents of Bay County. The community is on the road to recovery and we’re fully committed to playing a key role in that long-term effort,” Tom said. “As we grow our services, we will continue to look for ways to provide both inpatient and outpatient services in ways that best match the needs of the post-hurricane community. Sacred Heart has served patients from across Northwest Florida for more than 100 years. We are committed to improving access to high-quality care within a strong national system that can advance the long-term health of this community.”
Sacred Heart leaders will work closely with community and hospital leaders as well as state and federal agencies and legislators on matters related to the timing of the multi-stage reconstruction work, and also provide periodic updates to help keep everyone informed of plans and progress.
In addition to Bay Medical, Sacred Heart operates hospitals in Pensacola, Miramar Beach, and Port St. Joe, as well as providing physician offices in every county between Pensacola and Apalachicola. In addition, Ascension Florida also operates three hospitals in Northeast Florida.
