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As health care continues shifting toward outpatient and preventive services, BayCare is meeting the moment with an integrated model of care focused on convenience, access and whole-person health. BayCare HealthHubs, now operating across multiple communities in West Central Florida, bring a wide range of services under one roof to make care easier and more accessible for patients and families.
The HealthHub concept grew from a simple observation: patients want high-quality care that fits into their daily lives without multiple trips or fragmented services. Each HealthHub bundles primary and/or specialty care through BayCare Medical Group, lab services, advanced imaging, wellness programs and, in many locations, urgent care services, nutrition and fitness resources. The “one-stop” approach removes barriers that often prevent people from seeking care early and consistently.
Dr. Christopher Bucciarelli, MD, MBA, BayCare’s vice president of ambulatory services and chief medical officer, said the rapid growth of HealthHubs reflects how and where people want to receive care.
“We’re always looking at new and innovative ways to deliver care,” he said. “HealthHubs allow us to meet patients where they are and offer the services they need in a setting designed for convenience and connection.”
There are currently six BayCare HealthHubs in Land O’ Lakes, Valrico (Bloomingdale), Largo (Bardmoor), South Tampa, New Port Richey (Trinity) and St. Petersburg (Carillon).
A Model Built Around the Patient
The HealthHub design centers on ease of use. By placing high-demand services in one location, patients can schedule multiple appointments on the same day, avoiding separate visits or long drives to other facilities. For BayCare, it’s an investment in preventive care, supporting earlier diagnosis and faster follow-up for patients managing chronic or complex conditions.
Dr. Bucciarelli noted that thousands of patients interact with BayCare’s ambulatory services every day, and that reality shapes how the HealthHub model evolves.
“Every encounter gives us insight into what patients need and how we can support them better,” he said. “The HealthHub model grew out of listening to those needs and designing a space that brings everything together in a thoughtful, patient-friendly way.”
Supporting a Shift Toward Outpatient Care
With more people seeking care outside traditional hospital settings, BayCare has expanded its ambulatory footprint over the last decade. HealthHubs play a central role by creating a cohesive outpatient experience from primary care to advanced diagnostics.
The model also aims to reduce strain on emergency departments by giving patients better access to same-day or next-day appointments for common illnesses, injuries or diagnostic needs. Many HealthHub locations sit near high-growth residential areas, making care more accessible for families.
Dr. Bucciarelli, who continues to practice emergency medicine at BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital, said his clinical experience shapes how he approaches ambulatory strategy.
“Working in the emergency department keeps me connected to what our patients face every day,” he said. “It drives home how important it is to offer timely, accessible care in outpatient settings. When patients have dependable options before something becomes an emergency, outcomes improve.”
The goal is to make health care part of everyday life rather than a place people visit only when something is wrong.
A Growing Need for Access
BayCare is expanding into Manatee County with BayCare HealthHub (Manatee), slated to open in 2026. The 45,000-square-foot facility will bring expert, compassionate care to the Palmetto area and beyond, offering both primary and specialty providers through BayCare Medical Group, BayCare Lab services and a range of BayCare Imaging services including 3T MRI, CT scan, X-ray, PET/CT, mammography, DEXA and ultrasound.
This expansion coincides with the construction of BayCare Hospital Manatee, scheduled to open in early 2028. The hospital — BayCare’s 17th — will be the only not-for-profit hospital in Manatee County and the only hospital north of the Manatee River when it opens. BayCare is also breaking ground on a HealthHub location in Carrollwood.
A Continued Commitment to Access and Innovation
As BayCare continues expanding its outpatient services, HealthHubs represent a long-term commitment to care that is convenient, comprehensive and community focused. The model is designed to grow alongside changing patient needs and advances in technology, ensuring services remain seamless and accessible. BayCare HealthHubs are a blueprint for the future of care delivery.
Learn more by listening to this BayCare HealthChat® podcast featuring Dr. Bucciarelli: Inside BayCare HealthHubs
