The "new" Baptist South includes 8-story patient tower opening along with new and expanded medical services

A new 8-story patient tower, enhanced cancer care services and a new lab for diagnosing and treating heart conditions are among the many additions at Baptist Medical Center South, located at the intersection of I-95 and Old St. Augustine Road.

The 152,000-square-foot tower will ultimately house 138 additional patient beds, bringing Baptist South's total number to 407. The first four floors of the new tower are now completed; the remaining floors will be finished as needed to keep pace with the growing need for health care services in the area.

The communities in southern Duval and northern St. Johns counties have seen an 18 percent population increase during the past 10 years – nearly triple the amount of growth in the entire Jacksonville area and higher than state and national averages.

"Our goal is to be ahead of the growth so our residents can count on us to provide the advanced medical care they need close to home," said Hospital President Nicole Thomas. "We are committed to making Baptist South the medical hub of the South Jacksonville area."

New and expanded medical services at the Baptist South campus include:

Additional Labor & Delivery suites. Nine new Labor & Delivery suites are now open, with nine more opening ¬¬¬as needed, bringing the total to 45 maternity suites. All maternity suites at Baptist South allow mothers to stay in the same room for the entire birthing process—from labor and delivery through recovery and postpartum care.

More operating suites. Two new high-tech operating suites have been added, bringing the total to eight, along with additional private rooms for patients and families before and after surgery.

More services for heart patients. Baptist South has opened a second Cardiac Catheterization Lab to diagnose and treat heart patients in a minimally invasive way using a thin catheter so traditional open surgery is not needed.

Patients who have had a heart event or respiratory problem can recover at Baptist South's new Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, with a full complement of exercise equipment supervised by physicians, dietitians, nurses and exercise specialists.

More cancer treatment services. A new linear accelerator has been added to Baptist MD Anderson Medical Oncology Clinic at Baptist South. The advanced technology uses radiation therapy to shrink cancer tumors without destroying the surrounding tissue.

Additional imaging. Baptist South has a new Signa Voyager 3T MRI, which is vital in early diagnosis of diseases and conditions.

Convenient parking. Also new to the campus is a 4-story parking garage with 1,200 free parking spaces located conveniently in front of the hospital.

Community members can get a first-hand look of the new Baptist South on Saturday, Feb. 24 at "Health and Safety Saturday." The free event is open to the public and will include tours of the new Baptist South, opportunities to ask physicians medical questions, free chair massages, body composition assessments, kids' safety activities and more. Go to NewBapitstSouth.eventbrite.com to register.