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South Bay Goes Silver

STAFF photo by Robert Burke / Tampa Tribune

South Bay Hospital is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

SUN CITY CENTER - South Bay Hospital is celebrating its 25th year in the community, marking its growth from a small satellite of the Hospital Corporation of America's facility in Bradenton to a full-service, 112-bed medical and surgical complex.

The celebration will be low-key, with an anniversary cake for staff, in contrast to other hospital events with large community participation.

It comes at a time when the community is upset with the hospital's plans to build a replacement facility on Big Bend Road.

Last month, South Bay won state approval for the relocation. As conditions of that move, it is required to maintain emergency services and to provide shuttle bus transportation between the two facilities. One of the reasons residents opposed the move was because they would no longer be able to use their golf carts to get to and from the hospital. Golf carts are a popular alternative mode of transportation in the community.

When the hospital was dedicated in November 1982, it was called Sun City Regional Medical Center, a satellite of Blake Hospital in Brandon.

One of the 250 employees on board when the hospital opened its doors was nurse Ruthann McIntyre, who has been with the hospital ever since.

The name of the hospital may have changed over the years, but for McIntyre, the hospital's character has remained the same.

"For me, this has always been a caring place with caring people," she said.

McIntyre first noticed the caring when she was a young mother and wanted a day shift job so she could be at home with her family in the evenings. A nursing director at the hospital where she worked at the time told her she needed to get her priorities in order, with the clear message her job should come first.

"When she told me I needed to get my priorities straight, I told her I had," McIntyre said.

She went to apply for a job at a competing hospital, Blake, owned and operated by HCA Inc., which also owns South Bay and Brandon Regional hospitals.

The nursing director at Blake said there was a day job open at the hospital's new satellite in Sun City Center. "When I told her that my family comes first, the director of nursing told me she would not want it any other way."

Within a year of opening, Blake changed the Sun City Center facility from a satellite to a full-fledged hospital because of the demand for services.

McIntyre grew with the hospital, moving from nurse to charge nurse and eventually to her current position as director of the intensive care and progression care units. There were others along the way that mentored, prepared and encouraged her to take on new tasks.

"I love the area we serve; I love the residents here. There was a real need when we opened, and there still is."

She has stayed, McIntyre said, because of the people she serves and the people she works with.

"We really do care about each other," she said. "I know it sounds corny, but it's true.

"People leave here and then they come back because you can't find what we have here just anywhere."

McIntyre has had family crises at times, and has found her boss and co-workers supportive of her need take care of her family.

"If something is wrong, we take care of it and help others do the same. That's what's nice about a little hospital like this," she said.

She understands the community's fears over the future and the plans to relocate but also sees the need for more space. The hospital argued in its bid to move, and the state agreed, that it does not have sufficient space to expand at the current location.

McIntrye said the new hospital won't be arriving for at least five years.

"Till then, we have to take care of the people here," she said.

The hospital has a strong corps of volunteers of more than 225. Hospital spokeswoman Melissa Morgan said despite the community's displeasure over the hospital's plans, that has not reduced the volunteer numbers.

Juanita Moon, 81, of Apollo Beach, works at the hospital two days a week as a receptionist in the main waiting area. She looks up patient room numbers and alerts staff members if they have someone to see them.

"It was my conscience," she said, that drove her to volunteer. She knew other volunteers and felt it would be something she might like to do.

Eight years later she is still drawn to her work at the hospital.

"I think everyone should do volunteer work," Moon said. "This seemed like a good place, and it is. I like all the people here, the volunteers and the staff, they are all great."

Hospital Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Daugherty echoed Moon's words.

"The staff and physicians of South Bay Hospital have built a culture of caring and teamwork that is difficult to find in most organizations," Daugherty said. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to help lead such a great and enduring organization. My wish is to be able to continue to foster the legacy of compassionate care that South Bay Hospital is known for providing."

One of the issues that is unclear is the naming of the new hospital that will be built on Big Bend Road. Hospital officials said they have not decided whether it will bear the South Bay name. The marking of South Bay's 25th year may also mark its last landmark anniversary.

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib.com.

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