BayCare's Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, Fla., opened its four-story patient tower Sept. 17.
The Bilheimer Tower, named in honor of Nancy and David Bilheimer for their donation, brings all critical care rooms to one location, transitions most patient rooms to private occupancy and adds 76 new licensed beds and 30 observation beds. With the tower complete, Mease Countryside Hospital has 387 licensed beds.
"This project allowed us to expand our campus, add more private rooms and be better prepared to meet the healthcare needs of our community for years to come," said Matt Novak, president of Mease Countryside Hospital. "With the addition of this tower, we've gone from 31 percent private rooms to 82 percent."
The tower, which cost about $156 million, created a new entrance for the hospital. Mease Countryside Hospital also added a four-story parking garage.