BayCare Expands St. Petersburg Footprint: Investing in Specialized Care and Community Health
BayCare Health System is significantly increasing its clinical capacity and local investment in St. Petersburg. According to its 2025 Report to the Community, released on April 7, the system has scaled its operations to better serve the region, reporting operating revenue of $6.97 billion—an increase from $6.27 billion the previous year. More importantly, BayCare has dedicated $500 million in community benefit spending to support charity care, underinsured patients and essential health-related social services.
Advancing Specialized Care at St. Anthony’s Hospital
A major pillar of BayCare’s expansion is the enhancement of specialized treatment within the region to reduce the need for patients to travel elsewhere for complex care. In 2025, St. Anthony’s Hospital opened a dedicated neurology intensive care unit, providing a higher level of support for patients recovering from complex neurosurgical procedures.
The hospital has also become a hub for academic and specialty-care networking through the launch of 26 neuroscience research projects. These initiatives focus on critical conditions, including:
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Headaches
To improve operational efficiency, St. Anthony’s integrated technology into its daily workflow by deploying two autonomous mobile robots. These robots handle the transport of lab specimens and medications, completing 23,702 trips and traveling 3,350 miles in 2025. This automation saved staff 7,696 hours, allowing healthcare providers to spend more time on direct patient care.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Beyond clinical walls, BayCare is tackling systemic health challenges, specifically food insecurity and healthcare access for marginalized populations. The health system maintains a partnership with the St. Pete Free Clinic to help under-resourced and uninsured residents access necessary medical services.
To combat food insecurity, BayCare has implemented a wide-reaching support network that includes:
- Support for 42 school-based food pantries.
- Distribution of over 11,000 food bags to patients.
- Over 20,000 recorded visits across three dedicated food clinics.
Comprehensive Local Access: From Primary Care to Home Health
BayCare’s presence in St. Petersburg extends from acute hospital care to primary and home-based services. The BayCare Hospital medical group practice located at 2331 4th St N specializes in Family Medicine, offering a broad range of screenings and treatments for conditions ranging from diabetes and hypertension to respiratory infections.
For patients requiring recovery outside of a hospital setting, BayCare HomeCare (St. Pete) provides multidisciplinary support, including:
- Skilled Nursing: Wound care, IV administration, and disease management.
- Therapeutic Services: Physical, speech, and occupational therapy to improve mobility and independent living skills.
- Support Services: Social services for long-term care planning and home health aides for personal care.
Key Takeaways
- Financial Investment: $500 million spent on community benefits in 2025.
- Clinical Growth: Recent neurology ICU and 26 neuroscience research projects at St. Anthony’s.
- Innovation: Autonomous robots saved over 7,600 staff hours in one year.
- Community Impact: Extensive food insecurity programs and partnerships with the St. Pete Free Clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does BayCare HomeCare provide in St. Petersburg?
BayCare HomeCare offers skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social services, and home health aide assistance.
How is BayCare addressing food insecurity in the region?
The system supports 42 school-based food pantries, operates three food clinics with over 20,000 visits, and has distributed more than 11,000 food bags to patients.
What new specialized services were added to St. Anthony’s Hospital in 2025?
St. Anthony’s opened a dedicated neurology intensive care unit and launched 26 neuroscience research projects targeting conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
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