History of Baptist Beaches

Since 1961, Baptist Beaches has provided residents of Jacksonville Beach and surrounding communities with the state-of-the-art health care, in a family-centered environment that's close to home.

The original Beaches Hospital was a one-story, tax-supported facility located on 16th Avenue South. By the mid-80s, the small building could no longer keep up with the health care demands of its thriving environment. A new $12 million, multi-story facility was built next to the existing hospital, and opened its doors in November 1988 as First Coast Medical Center.

Over the next ten years, the facility added:

• a larger emergency department in 1992
• the first medical office building in 1993
• expanded surgery and recovery room areas in 1995
• a second medical office building in 1996
• an outpatient wing to the hospital building in 1997
• a conference room and chapel in 1998

Baptist Health acquired the growing First Coast Medical Center facility in 1990, changing the name to Baptist Medical Center Beaches. No longer supported by local taxes, Baptist Beaches became a private, not-for-profit community health care provider.

In 1997, Baptist Health brought maternity services back to the Beaches with the opening of the Women's Pavilion. In 2001, the emergency center's capacity was doubled and the diagnostic and rehabilitative center on Roberts Drive was acquired and renovated. In 2003, construction of the East Pavilion began.

Expansion continues today. In 2006, a fourth floor will be added to the East Pavilion and in 2007, 24 more private rooms on the third floor will be completed.