BayCare Health System, based in Clearwater, Florida, has officially begun construction on the new BayCare Hospital Manatee and its adjoining BayCare HealthHub in Parrish, Florida. The health system marked the start of the project with a groundbreaking ceremony, celebrating a major step in expanding healthcare services to the fast-growing Manatee County area.

According to the project announcement, the $563 million hospital will feature 154 private patient rooms, designed to improve patient privacy, safety, and comfort. Adjacent to the hospital will be BayCare HealthHub (Manatee), a 45,000-square-foot medical office building (MOB) that will provide a wide range of services, including primary and specialty care, outpatient lab services, and advanced imaging.

BayCare officials emphasized that the new hospital will help meet the increasing healthcare demands of Parrish and the surrounding region. The area has seen significant population growth in recent years, fueling the need for more accessible and comprehensive medical services.

The hospital is slated to open in 2028, while the HealthHub MOB is expected to be completed and operational by 2026, delivering early benefits to the community before the hospital’s official debut.

BayCare Health System President and CEO Stephanie Conners said in the news release, “We are excited to break ground on BayCare Hospital Manatee, which will bring high-quality, patient-centered care closer to home for residents of Parrish and Manatee County. This project reflects BayCare’s long-term commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

The facility will incorporate modern design elements that focus on healing environments, patient flow efficiency, and staff well-being. With construction now underway, local officials, healthcare workers, and community members have expressed optimism about the economic and healthcare boost the project will bring.

Local leaders attending the ceremony noted the importance of the project to the region’s future. “BayCare’s investment in Manatee County will significantly improve access to healthcare for our residents, while also creating new jobs and contributing to the local economy,” said a Manatee County commissioner at the event.

The construction project is expected to generate hundreds of jobs over the next several years, and once completed, the hospital and MOB will provide permanent healthcare employment opportunities and critical services to the area.

BayCare, one of the leading not-for-profit health systems in Florida, operates 16 hospitals and hundreds of other healthcare facilities throughout the state, offering a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, imaging, diagnostic, and urgent care services. The BayCare Hospital Manatee project marks a major expansion of its presence on Florida’s west coast, designed to serve the growing healthcare needs of a vibrant and expanding community.

Originally reported by Tracy Walker in Health Care Design.