Baptist Medical Center South Celebrates Second Anniversary on February 16
Hospital Celebrates Digital Environment and Upcoming Expansion

Jacksonville, Florida, February 12, 2007 -- When state-of-the-art Baptist Medical Center South (Baptist South) opened to provide residents of the St. Johns/Duval corridor access to excellent medical care and outstanding physicians and staff, it was expected to meet the demands of the growing population for at least five years.

Celebrating its two-year anniversary on February 16, 2007, the facility has outpaced all expectations. As a result, construction will soon begin on a new patient care tower, with an initial 62 inpatient, telemetry and obstetric beds. The expansion is predicted to be complete in the winter of 2008.

Since opening 24 months ago, Baptist South has become a learning destination for hospitals and health systems from across the nation and abroad as they undertake digital initiatives.

It's no wonder: In June 2005, the facility made it onto the short list of "hot health care news" as an example of one of the first successful implementations of a fully paperless hospital environment in the United States. Electronic medical records (EMRs) tracked patients' health histories and hospital stays and allowed physicians to retrieve medical information at the bedside. In addition, brand new digital mammography helped improve the quality of images and speed of diagnosis.

At Baptist South, the vast array of state-of-the art technology and services is complemented by beautiful landscapes, architecture and art, along with patient- and family-friendly amenities and a design affording patients more control over their environments.

"With no precedent to follow, in two short years, the people of Baptist South -- supported by the Baptist Health family -- have shown the tenacity and will that helped transform the definition of health care within Baptist Health, and throughout the nation," says Ron Robinson, FACHE, administrator of Baptist South. "We look forward to the future as we expand to better serve our community with compassion and advanced technology."