Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital presented its annual report to the St. Petersburg City Council on Jan. 9, outlining ongoing campus construction, new clinical services and steps the hospital took after the recent hurricanes to maintain operations and support staff.

The presentation, given by John Moore, president of Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, highlighted a multi-building development the system calls Institute Square that will house a women’s health center, fertility clinic, OB–GYN residency space, radiation and medical oncology in partnership with Florida Cancer Specialists, and space for new neurosciences and orthopedic institutes. Moore said Orlando Health also is finishing a conversion to private patient rooms across the hospital and plans to expand physician services at the Crossroads facility.

Why it matters: Bayfront is the only adult trauma center located in Pinellas County, and the planned additions would add specialty services locally that previously required patients or surgeons to travel outside St. Petersburg.

Moore described recruitment and workforce gains since Orlando Health assumed management of Bayfront, saying the hospital has reduced registered nurse vacancies by 41 percent and hired more than 600 nurses since October 2020. He said the hospital now employs roughly 2,100 team members and has added physicians in urogynecology, electrophysiology cardiology and orthopedics. Moore also noted the system’s recent acquisition of Central Neurology and said some of those physicians will locate in the new facilities.

Councilmembers asked about the hospital’s storm preparedness after Helene and Milton. Moore said the hospital learned that a water shutoff can quickly disable air-conditioning cooling towers and that staff coordinated with the county and partners to bring tanker trucks and fire apparatus to supply water and keep the hospital’s cooling and clinical operations running. Moore told council the hospital is installing two on‑site wells, will relocate a low-sited electrical switchgear and is planning generator upgrades at a regional facility to ensure air-conditioning capability during outages.

The presentation also summarized community grant work done in partnership with the Foundation For A Healthy St. Pete, including a healthcare navigator position for a homeless empowerment program. Moore described the grants as dollar‑for‑dollar matched with the foundation and said grantee organizations report progress toward specified goals.

Councilmembers from across the dais praised the hospital’s post‑acquisition turnaround, its response during the storms and its community partnerships. Councilmember Gina Driscoll and Councilmember Deborah Fig Sanders each described Bayfront’s role in regional response during the hurricanes and thanked Moore and his staff for coordination with the city.

The presentation closed with Moore introducing members of the Bayfront leadership team who attended the meeting, including Matt Luttler (government relations), Dr. Beth Gurgis (chief of medical staff), Sarah Gilbert (chief operating officer), Lorraine Parker (chief nursing officer) and Dr. Curtis Bridal (chief of surgery).

Looking ahead, Moore said the Institute Square buildings now under construction are scheduled to open in phases and that Bayfront will add services and physician clinics there as spaces come online.

Discussion only. No formal council action was required on the presentation.