When Baptist Hospital moved to its new campus on Brent Lane three years ago, the westside area of Pensacola went from being a major medical center to a neighborhood with hardly any medical services.
On April 9, Pensacola and Community Health Northwest Florida approved an agreement to bring medical services back to the neighborhood.
The agreement also marks the first decision on what to do with one of the former Baptist Hospital properties that the city was given by Baptist Health Care.
Under the agreement, the nonprofit medical provider Community Health Northwest Florida will take over the building at 801 W. Avery St. and open up both medical and dental care services at the office for at least 15 years.
The Pensacola City Council approved the agreement unanimously at its April 9 meeting.
What will Community Health Northwest Florida offer at the facility?
Walter Arrington, Community Health’s director of grants and development, told the City Council that the plan of what would be offered is still being developed, but the office would be used to provide both dental care and family primary care.
“The reason why we chose family practice is the way that credentialing works; we can serve pediatrics and adults,” Arrington said. “So generally, it’s two years old all the way through the life cycle.”
Arrington added that there is a large need for dental care in the area, and they are looking to provide additional dental care beyond just routine teeth cleanings.
When will the medical office open?
Community Health Northwest Florida will announce an opening date once the renovation plans are completed, but the donation agreement requires the renovated office to open within a year if the renovation goes smoothly.
Community Health Northwest Florida said in a press release that Covenant Care is donating to help cover the renovation costs, which will be at least $850,000, according to the city agreement.
The 2,810-square-foot building is one of three spread over six parcels of property that were added to Baptist Healthcare’s land donation to the city last year. Baptist Healthcare last used the building as a clinical education and training center, but it has also been a primary care office in the past.
“Community Health is honored that Mayor Reeves and the Pensacola City Council see the value in our organization, and the importance of keeping healthcare accessible to the neighbors of the former Baptist Hospital facility,” Community Health Northwest Florida CEO Chandra Smiley said in a press release. “We have a lot of work ahead of us still, and we’re excited to get going.”
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said in a statement that the residents of the area have made it clear that one of the things they want to see in a redeveloped Baptist Hospital campus is access to community-based healthcare.
“This collaboration with Community Health is a critical piece of keeping our commitment to make sure that what ultimately comes to the neighborhood keeps the people who live there at its heart,” Reeves said.
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