Stephanie Conners, President & CEO, BayCare Health System

In an interview with Invest:, President and CEO BayCare Health System Stephanie Conners said BayCare Health stands out as West Central Florida’s largest healthcare provider, serving 1 in 3 residents and generating a $10 billion economic impact. “Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve by providing community-owned services, and that mission drives a deep commitment to both quality and compassionate care” she said.

How does BayCare Health System differentiate itself from other healthcare providers locally and nationally?

First, we’re the second-largest employer and the largest healthcare employer in West Central Florida. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve by providing community-owned services, and that mission drives a deep commitment to both quality and compassionate care. These values truly set us apart. Another key differentiator is our people — 33,000 strong. Our vision is to be the best place to work, receive, and provide care, and we live by that every day.

What makes us stand out is our extraordinary team, delivering quality, innovation, and inclusivity. Being the largest healthcare provider in the region, where 1 in 3 residents chooses BayCare for their care, we take immense pride in the responsibility we have to our patients and our team members. We are saving lives every day, and that’s at the heart of what makes us unique.

Economically, our impact on Florida is substantial, generating $10 billion annually. Our leadership in healthcare includes being the top provider of pediatric and adult heart care in Tampa Bay, ranked No. 1 in Florida for cardiac surgery, and within the top 10% nationally. These are not just rankings — they are based on actual outcomes and reflect the consistent quality of care we provide.

I also want to highlight the expansion of our ambulatory division, which now offers more than 400 points of access across West Central Florida. This kind of accessibility, combined with the strength of BayCare Medical Group, allows us to reach patients wherever they are. What’s truly unique about BayCare is our dual model of support for physicians. For those who want to join our medical group, we have one of the largest employed physician networks. At the same time, we fully support independent physicians who wish to maintain autonomy.

BayCare Health System was recently recognized among People’s “100 Companies That Care.” What other highlights can you share from this past year?

Everything we do ties back to our commitment to being the best place to work. That commitment is reflected in the competitive benefits we provide, the training and development opportunities we offer, and the culture of care and innovation we’ve created. We’re in a strong financial position, which allows us to navigate an ever-changing healthcare environment while maintaining our focus on value-based care, prevention, wellness, and community investment.

One of our biggest milestones in 2024 was a major legal restructuring that ensures BayCare remains a not-for-profit healthcare provider into perpetuity. We are now fully owned by the community, having transitioned from a three-owner model. This restructuring is pivotal to our future and gives us the freedom to pursue bold, innovative goals.

Another defining moment was our response to the back-to-back hurricanes. I am incredibly proud of our team, with 16,000 of them stepping away from their families during and after the storms to support the community. Recognizing that many of our team members were also affected, we created a $10 million relief fund with a 2-to-1 donation match. This initiative highlights our unwavering commitment to caring not just for the community but also for one another.

We also received a $50 million philanthropic gift from the Pagidipati family for our pediatric hospital, the largest donation in BayCare’s history. Their generosity allows us to build a world-class facility and reflects the deep trust they have in our vision and mission.

I also want to acknowledge the incredible partnerships we’ve built across Tampa Bay. During the hurricanes, we collaborated with Feeding Tampa Bay to address food insecurity, setting up five food banks for our team members and the wider community. These partnerships, along with initiatives like our On Our Sleeves program for children’s mental health and our annual $557 million community benefit investment, demonstrate how much we can accomplish when we work together.

Additionally, our disaster preparedness was recognized when the Disaster Medical Assistance Team chose BayCare to host Florida’s only pop-up hospital during the storms. It was a testament to the trust and reliability we’ve built over the years.

What are BayCare’s plans for expansion and innovation?

We’re focused on smart growth and being where our community needs us most. For example, we’re building a not-for-profit healthcare facility in Manatee County, the first of its kind in the area. At South Florida Baptist Hospital, we’ve invested in a replacement hospital, demonstrating our commitment to improving both new and existing facilities.

We’ll also be one of the first in West Central Florida to provide proton therapy, an FDA-approved advanced cancer treatment that offers cutting-edge care to patients. Our graduate medical education program is growing rapidly, with plans to train more than 650 residents by 2029. This includes the launch of our first surgery residency program, which reflects our commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare providers.

We’re also making advancements with our Heart and Vascular Clinical Institute, while planning for additional specialties like neuroscience, orthopedics, oncology, and women’s and children’s health. On top of that, we’re building a pediatric hospital that will serve as a destination for families seeking the highest level of care and technology.

What partnerships or programs does BayCare have in place to foster workforce development or tap into new talent pools?

Two years ago, we updated our vision to emphasize being the best place to work, and that goal drives how we support our 33,000-plus team members. I believe that when individuals are empowered to be their best, the organization thrives. This philosophy is reflected in the recognition we’ve received this year as a top workplace for women, healthcare professionals, and innovation, as well as for our leadership in work-life flexibility and values-driven practices. These accolades come directly from our team members, and they affirm that BayCare is truly a great place to work.

We’re deeply invested in our workforce. We’ve enhanced our tuition assistance program to align with IRS maximums, introduced new maternal and paternal leave benefits to give team members more time with their families, and launched programs like “Earn as You Learn,” which helps individuals balance work and education as they advance their careers. Through our graduate medical education program and other career pathways, we’re not just preparing the next generation of healthcare providers, we’re fostering long-term growth and success within our team.

What trends are shaping the healthcare industry, especially with the rise of technology like AI and data analytics?

Clinical excellence continues to be our North Star, and it’s reflected in the safety grades across our hospitals, where nearly all eligible facilities maintain top scores. That foundation allows us to confidently explore innovation and embrace new technologies.

AI and data analytics are already transforming how we deliver care. For example, AI is helping us expedite stroke diagnosis and treatment while advanced therapies like proton therapy are bringing cutting-edge options to our patients. We’re piloting hands-free clinical documentation to reduce administrative burdens on nurses, giving them more time to focus on patient care.

Telehealth, through our BayCare Anywhere program, has allowed us to provide care in more convenient ways, reducing hospital visits and creating seamless experiences for our patients. We’re also using robotics to improve operational efficiencies and integrating data to enhance safety, quality, and patient outcomes.

With over 500 research projects and clinical trials underway, we’re combining these innovations with our commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. By aligning technology and human expertise, we’re ensuring that innovation strengthens the personalized care we’re known for.