JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and Wolfson Children's Hospital previewed its new multimillion dollar facility Saturday.
The new J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Tower covers 339,404-square-feet and 11-stories. Michael Aubin, the president of Wolfson Children's Hospital, said the numbers translate into more space for patients and their loved ones.
"Historically, we have been very family-centric and now all of our rooms are full-blown suites. They're actually one hundred square feet bigger than our old rooms," said Aubin.
In total, the facility features 167 private patient rooms. Aubin said the result is a hospital that doesn't feel like a hospital.
"They have the ability for both parents to stay, there's a full bathroom for parents to use, refrigerators, safes. I mean, it's literally like moving into a hotel," said Aubin.
Amenities aside, the tower houses state-of-the–art neurosurgical suites for adults and children, a pediatric cardiovascular surgical suite, and new intra-operative imaging capabilities.
Michael Mayo, president of Baptist Medical Center of Jacksonville, said the technology will bring services and a level convenience to the community that cannot be found elsewhere.
"For example, in our operating suites, we have inter-operative MRI and inter-operative CT. We're one of the few small group of hospitals in the country that have that available to do the imaging while you are in the operating room suite," said Mayo.
The hospital also features a new Children's Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Center; the Baptist Neuroscience Institute; and adult oncology treatment.
Mayor Alvin Brown was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and pointed out the economic impact the facility could have on Jacksonville and its surrounding areas.
"This is a classic example of Jacksonville going to the next level," said Brown. "Healthcare equals jobs and we're so fortunate to have great leaders in our city like Hugh Greene, who understands the value of healthcare and the role it plays in our city. Not just for Jacksonville, but for South Georgia.
Aubin thanked philanthropists J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver for their contributions to the center. Wayne and Weaver gave Baptist Heath a $10 million donation, the largest gift in Baptist's 57-year history.
For more information on the Weaver Tower, visit ebaptisthealth.com.