Baptist Health Announces Plans for a New Hospital
Letter of Intent will be Filed for a 92-bed Facility

Jacksonville, FL (August 2, 2005) - Baptist Health announced plans today to build a new hospital of up to 92 beds in Clay County. The planning process is underway and the hospital's design will allow flexibility for future expansion to meet the growing needs of this highly populated area.

The population near the proposed Baptist Clay site increased by 32.95 percent between the 1990 and 2000 census, compared to 23.53 percent in the rest of the state and 13.15 percent in the nation. The area's increase in population is expected to continue outpacing both state and national rates. Much of the current and future development in Clay is south of Orange Park in an area that was once served by the former Clay Memorial Hospital, which closed more than 12 years ago. The combination of the southern growth pattern coupled with traffic congestion in the northern county impedes access to hospital services.

On August 15 of this year, Baptist Health will file a Letter of Intent with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). A full certificate of need (CON) application will be filed in the fall, consistent with the Agency's calendar, and a response is expected in December 2005. Following approval, the new facility, estimated to cost $90 to $100 million, could be completed in two to three years. Funding will primarily come from accumulated funds and financing.

Hugh Greene, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health, states, "Providing accessibility to quality health care has remained the mission of Baptist Health for 50 years. As our community grows, we grow with it."

Greene continues, "This new facility is consistent with our tradition of operating community hospitals such as Baptist Medical Center Beaches in Jacksonville Beach, Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach and Baptist Medical Center South on the Southside, all governed by community boards and offering the latest in innovation and technology. Wolfson Children's Hospital and The Heart Hospital are examples of meeting more specific needs for the entire region.

"We expect this endeavor to mirror that of Baptist Medical Center South, which opened in February of this year, consistent with plans and time table. Like Baptist South, this new facility will be a state-of-the-art hospital blending an advanced electronic environment with our holistic mission of providing for the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their loved ones."

Located on 32 acres at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Village Square Parkway in Fleming Island Plantation, the new hospital will have a 24-hour emergency room and helipad, both much needed in the Clay County area. Additionally, Baptist Health's new hospital is expected to offer outpatient surgery and diagnostics and inpatient services.

"Centex Homes is proud to welcome Baptist Health as part of our large family," says Jim Riley, division president for Centex Homes' North Florida Division. "Our existing motto at Fleming Island Plantation, 'live, work and play,' has been energized yet again. This addition to our community strengthens the long-standing commitment we have to improving the overall quality of life for First Coast residents. Hand-in- hand, we look forward to traveling the road ahead."

"The Clay County facility will provide the region with a hospital benefiting the residents of Clay County and those of surrounding areas as well," states Jack Williams, board chairman of Baptist Health. "Serving patients and families in our rapidly growing communities is something we've done successfully for 50 years. Innovation and tradition exist comfortably side-by-side in all Baptist Health hospitals. Our goal remains providing 'neighborhood' health care with all the services of a large facility. It's who we are, and who we will remain."