Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist Health is terminating a longstanding clinical partnership with Gainesville, Fla.-based UF Health, the Jacksonville Business Journal reported June 9.
Four things to know:
1. UF Health has provided pediatric services at Baptist’s Wolfson Children’s Hospital for several decades. In the first quarter of 2026, Baptist will transition these services to Jacksonville-based Nemours Children’s Health, expanding its three-decade relationship with the pediatric health system.
“While the exact timing of these first-quarter 2026 changes is still being determined, there are no immediate changes at this time,” Baptist said in a statement to the Journal. “Our top priority remains uninterrupted, high-quality patient care and we are committed to ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition.”
2. The move will expand the team of pediatric physicians practicing at Wolfson Children’s and improve care continuity for families in the Jacksonville region, according to the report.
“By combining our strengths as one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, with Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s reputation and commitment to high quality care, we will advance care for patients and families across the region,” Nemours said in a statement to Becker’s. “Continuity of care for patients and families is our top priority.”
3. UF Health said it was “both surprised and disheartened” to learn that Baptist had “unilaterally decided to end its decades-long clinical collaboration,” according to the report.
“Our health system remains fully committed to ensuring access to our world-class pediatric services for all communities we serve throughout Florida and beyond, including at our community physician practices throughout our region, at our level 1 trauma center at UF Health Jacksonville and at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital,” a spokesperson for UF Health told the Journal.
4. Wolfson Children’s Hospital will still function as the main pediatric teaching facility for the UF College of Medicine. Baptist and UF Health will also continue to collaborate on various community health initiatives.
