Baptist Nassau Building to Be Named for Berkmans

Fernandina Beach, Florida, June 10, 2008 -- The extraordinary generosity of Amelia Islanders Betty and David Berkman will be recognized when Baptist Medical Center Nassau's new inpatient building opens in 2009 as the Betty and David Berkman Patient Building, it was announced recently by James "Chip" Townsend, chairman of the hospital's Board of Directors.

"Their outstanding gift and early commitment to this project have helped make a long-time dream for this community into a wonderful reality," Townsend says. "We are tremendously grateful to the Berkmans for their assistance and are honored to publicly acknowledge their support."

The two-story Betty and David Berkman Patient Building will feature 48 spacious private patient rooms including a new eight-bed intensive care unit. An expanded newborn nursery will be constructed in the existing hospital.

"This construction establishes a new standard for Baptist Nassau. Our patient rooms will be spacious, attractive, comfortable and family-friendly, as well as highly efficient and flexible to support the ongoing technological advances that continue to be made in patient care," Townsend adds.

Amelia Island residents for 25 years, the Berkmans are strong supporters of this Island and the need for top-quality medical services to be available for residents, visitors and guests.

"We are happy to help make it possible and extremely honored to be recognized," says David Berkman. The Berkmans' major contribution is part of the hospital's capital campaign to "Build the Hospital We Need in the Community We Love."

"We are thrilled to have received more than $3 million in community contributions and pledges so far, but we still have a way to go," says Paul Bosland, Capital Campaign chairman. The bulk of the project's total $24 million price tag will be financed by Baptist Health. The latest investment is in addition to more than $30 million provided to improve facilities, technology and services at Baptist Nassau since Baptist Health purchased the hospital in 1994.

Ground was broken for the new building in December and site preparation is well underway. "In the next few weeks, structural steel will go up, which will signify a major milestone in a building process that I have been looking forward to for some time," said Jim Mayo, administrator of Baptist Nassau.

When the new building is complete, the hospital's current inpatient wing, built in 1977, will be torn down. An attractively landscaped garden/retreat will be created in its place to complement the therapeutic environment of the new Berkman Building. The new facility will accommodate an additional floor if needed in the future.

As the campaign continues and the new building becomes much more visible, there will be many more very generous individuals, families and businesses to thank, Bosland states. "Their support is a wonderful investment in our community that will be appreciated, enjoyed and recognized for generations to come."

For more information on the building program or the campaign, call Trish Dooley, director of Development, 321.3807, or visit the hospital's Web site at www.e-baptisthealth.com/nassau.