BayCare plans to invest over $650M in a new freestanding children’s hospital in Tampa, set to open in 2030. The project is backed by a $50M gift from the Pagidipati family, one of Tampa Bay’s largest donations. The hospital will feature family-focused design and expanded pediatric services.
BayCare has announced plans to build a new freestanding pediatric hospitalin Tampa withan investment exceeding $650 million. The facility, named Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s, is scheduled to open in 2030 and will expand upon the services currently provided by BayCare Kids and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
The project is supported by a $50 million donation from the Pagidipati family of Tampa, which BayCare describes as one of the largest charitable gifts in Tampa Bay history and among the largest made nationally in 2024. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation is partnering with the Pagidipati family and additional local philanthropists to advance the project and support pediatric care innovation.
BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners stated the hospital will transform pediatric healthcare across the region while building on an established legacy of care. The new facility is designed to deliver specialized services in an environment created specifically for pediatric patients and their families.
Working with architects at Page, now Stantec, BayCare developed a design prioritizing patient experience. Released renderings display a colorful exterior with seasonal and holiday lighting. Interior spaces are planned to feel welcoming rather than institutional, incorporating intuitive wayfinding, family-friendly common areas, and environments intended to reduce stress and promote healing.
Sarah Naumowich, president of St. Joseph’s Children’s and St. Joseph’s Women’s hospitals, emphasized the commitment to delivering expert, compassionate care in a comfortable and reassuring setting.
The hospital currently serves thousands of children annually through inpatient and outpatient programs, and the new purpose-built facility will enable growth of these services.
The project represents one of the most substantial healthcare investments planned in Tampa Bay over the next decade, reinforcing BayCare’s position as a major regional healthcare organization and strengthening Tampa’s standing as a center for advanced pediatric medicine.