New Baptist Medical Center officially opens in Clay County

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — Clay County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, and to keep up with that growth, the county’s access to health care is increasing. That is why Action News Jax is getting a behind-the-scenes look inside the new Baptist Clay Medical Center, which is now open on Fleming Island.

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The brand-new Baptist Clay Medical Center has several new features, including advanced heart and cancer care. Action News Jax was the first station to get a tour.

It is six stories high, 300,000 square feet and comes complete with 102 hospital beds and 20 large maternity suites. There’s a large women’s imaging center, and an ICU with CT scanners that can switch to a negative-pressure room to control infection and a wound care system. There is also a large on-campus lab and pharmacy.

Amenities include a gift shop, on-site coffee shop, cafeteria and a 1-mile trail that links to Black Creek Trail.

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Hospital President Darin Roark gave Action News Jax a tour of the facility’s new labor and delivery unit, NICU and medical surgery unit.

“What makes Baptist Clay Medical Center state of the art is that it’s a hospital designed around the patients and clinicians,” said Roark.

The hospital has positioned equipment to be within arm’s reach of the patient and the clinician. Registered nurse Melissa Buchel told Action News Jax that it’s a big help.

“It makes it very easy, and it also allows us to not contaminate other spaces,” said Buchel.

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Speaking of contamination, the hospital utilizes an ultraviolet light and filtration system. There are 20 units throughout the hospital working to keep the air clean. The new hospital takes the strain off nearby hospitals, and it’s already accepting patients, like Gilbert Aguayo, the first patient admitted to Baptist Clay Medical Center.

“Should someone need a hospital admission in Clay County, we are open and ready to take care of them,” said Roark.

In addition to this new facility, Baptist Clay Medical Center is bringing 400 new jobs to Clay County. You can apply at https://www.baptistjax.com/about-us/careers.

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