By Kyle LoJacono
A year ago St. Joseph’s Hospital-North welcomed its first patient, Dustin Keithly.
Since then, the facility has seen more than 33,500 patients, welcomed 40 babies into the world and opened its own imaging center.
Paula McGuiness, the facility’s chief operating officer, said people come from around northern Hillsborough and southern Pasco County for more than just treatment.
“From our very first emergency room patient, to the folks who stop by our hospital each day just to dine at Twigs Café, the support of this community has made the opening a success,” McGuiness said. “We value each and every person who has visited our hospital or trusted us for their care.”
The 350,000-square-foot hospital opened last February. It is located at 4211 Van Dyke Road in Lutz and was the first new full-service facility in Hillsborough County in 30 years. Hospital spokeswoman Jacqueline Farruggio said along with improved healthcare in the area, St. Joseph’s North also added 500 jobs to the local economy.
The facility was designed to be energy and water efficient and has just been awarded LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which verifies the hospital’s efforts as a steward of the environment.
“Research shows environmentally sustainable buildings contribute to improved health, so having a green hospital helps St. Joseph’s achieve its vision of creating a healthy environment for the community it serves,” said Colleen Mackin, executive director of Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the building council.
McGuiness said the model fits in with what BayCare Health System, the hospital’s parent company, is working to achieve in all its facilities.
“Buildings are one of the largest consumers of resources and energy in this country,” McGuiness said. “St. Joseph’s Hospitals and BayCare Health System believe in being leaders of environmental stewardship, innovation and corporate responsibility.”
Along with reducing its impact on the environment, the hospital was designed to put the patient’s comfort first. Known as evidence-based design, the rooms, hallways and waiting rooms are patterned to look like a hotel with artwork, soft colored paint and wood floors.
During the last year, the hospital has opened its obstetrics unit. The first baby, Michael Boria III, was born in September to Jill and Michael Boria II of Land O’ Lakes.
In December, the facility opened BayCare Outpatient Imaging Center right next to the hospital in front of Kohl’s on Van Dyke. Farruggio said the center offers high-field MRI, multi-slice CT scans, digital mammography, digital X-rays and bone density and other scans to make treatment faster.
The hospital offers emergency care, surgical services, imaging, intensive care, obstetrics, cardiac catheterization and other services. For more information, call (813) 443-2045 or visit us at StJosephsNorth.com.
