Baptist Health is dealing with the growing demand for emergency medical services by expanding its air-ambulance fleet.

Baptist Health just opened an emergency and imaging center in Yulee, and it’s already looking toward future expansion.

A fresh shipment of IV fluid to Baptist Health allowed all scheduled procedures to continue without delay.

Just three months in, Katelyn Watts’ graduate student project rescued several victims of human trafficking and became part of a hospital system’s screening process.

Florida Blue will temporarily allow its members in all Florida counties to get an early refill of their medications due to Hurricane Milton.

Florida Blue Medicare patients should expect some changes to their insurance coverage if they utilize Baptist Health.

Florida Blue customers are relieved after the insurance company agreed to a new contract with Baptist Health hours before the Monday night deadline.

The deadline for Florida Blue and Baptist Health to come to terms on a new contract agreement is Monday night, and dozens of News4JAX viewers have shared their concerns over the possibility of losing their coverage.

Florida Blue and Baptist Health reached a new contract agreement hours before the Monday night deadline that would have caused the hospital to be considered out-of-network for some 600,000 Florida Blue customers across the region.

Days from the end of the current contract between Florida Blue and Baptist Health, the hospital released an update Friday on the ongoing battle with the insurance company.

Days from the end of the current contract between Florida Blue and Baptist Health, the hospital released an update Friday on the ongoing battle with the insurance company.

Thousands of Florida patients could find themselves out-of-network if Florida Blue and Baptist Health don’t reach a contract agreement before the Sept. 30 deadline.

Florida Blue, the state’s largest health insurer, may soon be rejected at Baptist Health facilities if the two can’t negotiate a new agreement. The deadline is one month away on Sept. 30.

Baptist Health has unveiled a new surgical robot used for treating head and neck cancers, and according to a surgeon who is now using this technology, the robot is far less invasive than traditional cancer treatments.

Florida Blue is the state’s largest health insurer, and it may soon be rejected at Baptist Health facilities.

Doctors recommend that women over age 40 get a mammogram every year and maybe even sooner if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Baptist Health opened a new emergency center for adults and children in St. Augustine Monday morning.

Florida’s largest health insurer may no longer be accepted at Baptist Health facilities, leaving many wondering if their doctor’s visits will cost them substantially more.

The Baptist & Wolfson Oakleaf Emergency Room is reopened after police investigated a “vehicle with suspicious material” in the parking lot.

Nurses nationwide are putting down their stethoscopes to pick up another job opportunity that could provide better pay and hours.

National Nurses Week is one time of the year when nurses across the country are recognized for their hard work, and News4JAX Reporter Erik Avainer wanted to take the time to acknowledge the nurses at Baptist Health who took care of him while he was in for the fight of his life.

Hospital safety grades released for the fall of 2023 show half of local hospitals received an “A,” while four local hospitals received a grade of “C.”

Baptist Health rolled out the “Buddy Bus” Saturday morning in Jacksonville’s Northside to give women access to free mammograms.

Baptist Health is providing therapy sessions starting Monday to women struggling with mental health conditions caused by pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum depression.

The Baptist Medical Center South campus is on emergency backup power Wednesday due to an electrical outage, a spokesperson for Baptist Health said.

An officer wounded in the line of duty in a shooting outside Baptist Medical Center South on Tuesday night remained in critical condition Wednesday afternoon but was stable, the hospital said in an update posted to social media.

An officer wounded in the line of duty in a shooting outside Baptist Medical Center South on Tuesday night remained in critical condition Wednesday afternoon but was stable, the hospital said in an update posted to social media.

Florida’s population is growing and aging, and thousands of nurses are expected to retire in the next several years.

Florida’s population is growing and aging, and thousands of nurses are expected to retire in the next several years.

Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital are teaming up with the Jaguars Foundation to help parents keep their newborns safe.

The first baby of the year was delivered at Baptist Medical Center South.

UF Health, Baptist Health, Ascension St. Vincent’s, Memorial Hospital and Orange Park Medical are all dealing with patients suffering from the flu, COVID, or respiratory syncytia virus — commonly known as RSV.

While nearly half of adults in the US have high blood pressure, there’s a lot that people don’t know about this common condition.

UF Health employees are continuing to deal with the fallout of a cyberattack on the hospital’s payroll vendor, which happened back in December.

Baptist Medical Center Nassau will temporarily pause its maternity services beginning May 31.

Supply chain issues are causing a major medical warning at hospitals across the country.

Jeff and Larry Critzer said it’s a club that no one wants to join: having a stroke. They spoke with News4JAX along with one of their doctors, so people know the signs and how life can change without a moment’s notice.

The United States is approaching a grim milestone: 1 million deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Total COVID-19 pediatric hospitalizations in Florida reached a new high, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data posted Friday.

Many of you have reached out asking the I-TEAM for help after a ransomware attack knocked out the payroll systems used by several local businesses.

The ITEAM has received calls and emails from health care workers who said they are frustrated that they are getting no answers from Human Resources and their bosses about when they will be paid in full for their work during the holidays.

Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Florida, Baptist Health has decided to bring back daily updates to let the public know how many patients are being treated in its hospitals.

If your company’s human resources department uses the program Kronos, it could take several weeks before its systems to be fully restored due to a ransomware attack.

News4JAX is looking at how Jacksonville is preparing for another potential coronavirus surge.

Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville announced a landmark gift from The Borowy Family Foundation toward the new children’s critical care tower, slated to open January 2022.

The sentencing for a former Baptist Health doctor who was found guilty of indecent exposure earlier this month was passed until Oct 8.

Starting this week, each secondary school in Duval County will host a vaccine event.

Dozens protested in front of Baptist Health’s downtown Jacksonville campus on Saturday, saying hospital workers should not be required to get COVID-19 vaccinations.

A rapid response unit is being rolled out in Jacksonville to allow more COVID-19 patients to get access to monoclonal antibody treatment.

Jacksonville hospitals are preparing for more COVID-19 cases, with some requesting ventilators.

The demand for nurses is high, and in a week, Baptist Health plans to hold a career fair to recruit more people.

The number of pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida is higher than anywhere else in the country, and it’s as high as any other time since the pandemic began, data shows.

Baptist Health is just one of the hospital systems in our region reeling from the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases. Baptist Health CEO Michael Mayo joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to explain some of his biggest concerns. Plus, the battle of vaccinations and masks, and what’s at stake if school districts or local governments decide to make them mandatory. News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney and political expert Pastor John Newman join us.

Baptist Health reported its highest number this week of COVID-19 patients in intensive care with 107 in ICU at its five hospitals on Saturday.

Members of a local church led a morning prayer Friday outside Baptist Medical Center in Nassau County as the hospital staff grapples with an uptick in COVID-19 cases that has left frontline workers feeling “overwhelmed.”

As of Thursday, Baptist Health had 569 patients that are positive with COVID-19 admitted in its facilities, according to the hospital’s CEO, Michael Mayo.

The much more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to rage across Florida, sending another 526 people to the hospital and increasing the state’s record-setting total of hospitalizations to 12,041.

Margie Efron’s doctors at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center told her the surgery is put on hold.

Gov. Ron DeSantis touted Florida’s COVID-19 response Tuesday, even as the state set a record for the number of people hospitalized with the illness for the third day in a row.

Baptist Health announced Tuesday it will require its team members and professional staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 15.

Florida’s largest hospital systems are expanding their COVID units, limiting visitors and fearing staffing shortages as they deal with the statewide surge in cases.

The morning after Florida broke the previous record for current hospitalizations, the numbers of patients are expected to keep going up.

A day after it recorded the most new daily cases since the start of the pandemic, Florida on Sunday broke a previous record for current hospitalizations set more than a year ago before vaccines were available.

A well-known activist and president of the Jacksonville Northside Coalition has tested positive for COVID-19.

The rate of coronavirus cases and the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to climb in Northeast Florida.

Hospital leaders across Jacksonville have been warning about the influx of COVID-19 patients that have been flooding their facilities -- most connected to the highly contagious delta variant.

According to leaders from Jacksonville’s hospitals, who joined Mayor Lenny Curry on a virtual news conference Wednesday, nearly all of the patients being admitted for coronavirus have not been fully vaccinated.

Some hospitals in Jacksonville are making changes to their visitation policies as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Florida and around Jacksonville have increased.

Aiming to dispel concerns about surging COVID-19 infections, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday defended the state’s efforts to combat the spread of the deadly disease.

Children are among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Jacksonville, according to doctors and nurses.

As new COVID-19 infections surge in Jacksonville, local health experts say an overwhelming majority of cases they’re seeing are the result of the Delta variant, now the dominant strain nationwide.

In just one day, COVID-19 cases at Jacksonville hospitals have seen a considerable increase, News4Jax learned Wednesday.

In an email sent to Baptist Health employees last week, hospital leaders warned of a resurgence in new cases of the coronavirus and said new patients requiring intensive care in recent days are “shockingly young.”

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Duval County School Board member Warren Jones details changing six school names associated with the Confederacy. Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer talks about two downtown development proposals. And Baptist Health CEO Michael Mayo explains his new role.

Radiation is commonly used to shrink tumors, but in a procedure only done in a few centers around the world, doctors are finding out it can also be used to treat an irregular heartbeat.

News4Jax invited Dr. Pamela Rama, a cardiologist with Baptist Health, and Mia Jones, the CEO of Agape Community Health Center, on The Morning Show on Friday to answer many of your specific questions:

Researchers have coined the term “COVID-somnia” to describe sleep struggles during the pandemic, which appear to be on the rise.

When women are experiencing the hot flashes, mood swings and other challenges of menopause, their partners may not know how to provide support.

Baptist Health gave Bender Middlekauff tickets for him, his family and friends to attend The Players Championship. But little did he know that when they got there, he’d wind up meeting his favorite professional golfer, Justin Thomas. “He called me out by my name at the 16th tee: ‘You’re Bender, right?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, you’re Justin Thomas. 25-year-old @BaptistHealthJx cancer patient, Bender Middlekauff, met his favorite player pro golfer Justin Thomas at @THEPLAYERSChamp. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/fZ9vG0BFGr — Brittany Muller (@BrittMullerNews) March 10, 2021Another young cancer patient’s dream was fulfilled Wednesday with an invitation to The Players from his favorite golfer, Dustin Johnson.

At Wolfson Children’s Hospital, there has been a 300% increase in behavioral health admissions since the pandemic began in early 2020. These measures can also make it harder for kids already dealing with mental health hurdles to stay on track. All calls are answered by trained mental health experts, and conversations are free and confidential. (If the situation is life-threatening, call 911 or take your child to the nearest Wolfson Children’s Emergency Center immediately.) Wolfson Children’s Hospital offers a wide range of behavioral health services, including the 24/7 Kids & Teens Helpline, for children of all ages.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. One in four people over the age of 65 fall each year, and they are at greater risk for taking a spill. Losing this skill can be very worrisome to some individuals.”There are many things that can cause someone to fall. See if you are up to speed on the causes, results, how to prevent it from happening to you.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports July through October tend to be the most popular birth months, meaning many babies are conceived around the holidays. Good pre-pregnancy health can improve your chances of conceiving, as well as prevent complications down the road. “Studies have found no evidence that hormonal birth control or LARCs affect fertility over the long term,” Patel said. “During pre-pregnancy visits, I often recommend patients track their ovulation, either with an app on their phone or an over-the-counter ovulation kit,” Patel said. “You should begin taking a prenatal vitamin at least three months prior to attempting to conceive,” Patel said.

Wolfson Children's is the only hospital providing care for all kids in Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As The Players Championship approaches, local newborns are already getting into the spirit of golf. Every baby born at Baptist Health, as well as those in the NICUs, will receive a commemorative “Crawl. The newborn will also receive a birthday card containing the ABCs of safe sleep practices from The Players Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “This week is such a special one in our community,” Jared Rice, Executive Director of The Players, said.

Many people feel like having weight loss surgery is like giving up or admitting to failure. In fact, bariatric surgery is the most effective weight loss solution for morbid obesity, according to the National Institute for Health. Instead of a last option, weight loss surgery may be your best choice. Baptist Center for Bariatric Surgery offers the three most common types of weight loss surgery, which include the gastric banding, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. On “River City Live,” we spoke with a married couple who underwent bariatric surgery.

Jacksonville University and Baptist Health teamed up to launch an accelerated nursing second-degree program that only takes 12 months to complete and earn a work-promise agreement from Baptist Health upon graduation and licensure. JU said this 12-month program is a way that rapidly addresses the “ever-increasing need” for qualified nurses in Northeast Florida. JU baptist health nursing program (Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.) It looks and feels like a hospital and it’s where 35 students part of JU’s accelerated 12-month nursing program will learn. Wolf said while it may be a rigorous curriculum, the unique partnership with Baptist Health is like no other.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Winn Dixie celebrated “Random Acts of Kindness Day” on Wednesday by giving back to some of the community’s essential health care workers. The company presented 500 bags of food items to hospital employees at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Health. The bags included shelf sustainable items the workers can use to feed their families as they also navigate the pandemic. Winn-Dixie North Florida Regional Vice President Shawn Sloan said it was about showing the respect and gratitude the health care workers deserve. AdEach Winn-Dixie store is also sending free bagels and cream cheese to a local school, fire station, police station or frontline organization of their choice.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – While grocery stores and state-run coronavirus vaccine clinics focus on inoculating people over 65 and healthcare workers against COVID-19, Gov. But Florida hospitals say they’re not getting enough vaccine doses from the state to make a significant dent in that vulnerable population. Since December, more than 200 hospitals throughout Florida have received shipments of the vaccine from the state. UF Health Jacksonville received two shipments within a week of each other in mid-December when vaccines began in the state of Florida. Because of that, the hospitals are not currently vaccinating any members of the public, let alone those with preexisting conditions.

His office told News4Jax on Tuesday that 200,000 Moderna vaccines expected to arrive Tuesday have been delayed and are now expected to arrive on Thursday. Weather conditions across the United States are impacting the shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine to Florida. — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 16, 2021News4Jax was told a shipment to Florida expected Monday might arrive either Tuesday or Wednesday. Walmart, Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, which began giving vaccines in Northeast Florida counties earlier this month. Vaccine appointments in Houston and Austin were expected to be canceled again Tuesday because of the severe winter weather.

How much do you know about COVID-19? The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. If you’ve had COVID-19, you may be wondering how long your protection from reinfection lasts. The virus is new, so many experts (and members of the public) still have questions when it comes to COVID-19 immunity.

If you’ve had COVID-19, you may be wondering how long your protection from reinfection lasts. The virus and science are both new, so many experts -- and members of the public -- still have questions when it comes to COVID-19 immunity. Scientists don’t know exactly how long natural immunity (which occurs after an infection) lasts for COVID-19. However, current evidence does suggest that getting the virus again is uncommon in the first 90 days after infection. Dr. Elizabeth Ransom, executive vice president and chief physician executive at Baptist Health, shares what we know (and don’t know) about the duration of immunity from the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Trauma Team includes a pediatric emergency medicine physician, pediatric surgeon, pediatric anesthesiologist, pediatric critical care physician and pediatric neurosurgeon, in addition to pediatric emergency nurses. Malachi was then transferred to Wolfson Children’s Neuroscience Unit and was able to go home two days after his fall. And while their paths were yet to cross, the team who saved Malachi was ready for him before he ever stepped onto the basketball court. Wolfson Children’s Hospital has pediatric specialists ready around-the-clock to treat the most serious injuries. For more information on Wolfson Children’s Emergency and Trauma services, visit wolfsonchildrens.com/emergency.

Knowing weakness on one side of the body is a symptom of stroke, Melogy’s client checked him for other symptoms such as facial drooping and difficulty speaking. AdInside his headIn just 20 minutes, JFRD transported Melogy to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville’s Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center, a Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Ad“Time is everything when it comes to stroke,” Dr. Nima said. Within minutes of arriving at the hospital, Dr. Nima recommended Alteplase, an FDA-approved blood clot-busting medication that helps improves recovery for stroke patients. “The stars aligned for me to be where I am today.”Time is brain when it comes to stroke.

“When we sit, the pelvis tends to slide forward over time, which leads to a forward bend in the spine. “When we bend forward from the spine to pick up an object, we place the spine in an unideal position. The forward bend compresses the front of the lumbar disks and pushes the fluid in the disk backward. Weak core muscles cause an imbalance which forces other parts of the spine to take on more stress.”5. Physical therapy is usually the first line of defense with back pain,” he said.

Roxas, and 11 other Baptist Health frontline workers were invited to be the guests of the Jaguars and the NFL at the Super Bowl. “So it’s definitely on my bucket list to be to go to the Super Bowl. So yes, I can cross that off.”Like many frontline healthcare workers, Roxas admits that the last 11 months have been more stressful than usual. “busy” and the chance for a trip to the Super Bowl was a welcome getaway. While the game wasn’t particularly competitive, the experience of attending a Super Bowl, and seeing all of the activities around the game made for a memorable weekend.

Dr. Vincy Samuel and her brother, Vinny, a doctor who works in Tampa, both got tickets to attend Super Bowl LV. TAMPA, Fla. – While most of us watched the Super Bowl on the big screen on Sunday, a dozen Jacksonville health care workers are among only about 25,000 people who get to go to the big game in person. Dr. Vincy Samuel, an epidemiologist at Baptist Health, was one of a dozen Jacksonville health care workers who won tickets to attend. This year’s Super Bowl was different of course, because of social distancing guidelines brought on by COVID-19. They were thanking us for our service, so it felt really great to be among such a great group of people there.”AdWatch The Morning Show interview with Dr. Vincy Samuel

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A dozen health care workers from Baptist Health left for Super Bowl LV on Saturday. The group of health care heroes gathered at TIAA Bank Field for pictures inside the stadium before they boarded the bus for Tampa. Jennifer Bloom, an assistant nurse manager of the ICU, is one of the 12 health care workers selected to go on the trip. RELATED: Sister, brother doctors in Jacksonville, Tampa both picked for Super Bowl ticketsA dozen health care workers from Baptist Health are among 7,500 doctors and nurses nationwide invited to Super Bowl LV. “I’ve never been to a Super Bowl so I’m excited about that and taking it all in,” Gorak said.

Ron DeSantis said the state will be receiving a “modest increase” in first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. DeSantis said the state has received approximately 260,000 first doses per week for the past several weeks. He said next week, Florida plans to receive 307,000 first doses from the federal government. With COVID-19 surging and vaccinations off to a slow start, President Biden said earlier this month that he planned to rapidly release most available vaccine doses to protect more people, a reversal of Trump administration policies. The new administration has said it plans to rely on manufacturers to deliver enough for second doses.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars aren’t in the Super Bowl, but they’re sending four health care workers to the big game in Tampa next month. As part of the NFL’s tribute to health care workers, the league is giving 7,500 frontline medical personnel a seat in the stands. With the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers playing Super Bowl 55 in their hometown, ticket prices have soared this week. You are amazing health care workers. “We are honored to salute those who have demonstrated dedication, commitment and courage and deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration.”All 32 NFL teams received four tickets to give to local health care workers.

Two of the most common testing options are the PCR test and the antigen test, both of which are typically administered through a nasal swab. PCR test vs. antigen test. If you decide to get tested, it’s OK to start with an antigen test and then proceed to get a PCR test if you develop symptoms, even if your antigen test was negative. For more information on Baptist Health’s response to the pandemic, please visit the COVID-19 information center. For questions about COVID-19 symptoms, call 904-302-5050.

Dr. Elizabeth Ransom, executive vice president and chief physician executive at Baptist Health, sets the record straight on rumors circulating about the COVID-19 vaccine. MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine contains harmful ingredients. The names of COVID-19 vaccine components may not roll off the tongue easily, but that’s no reason to fear they might be harmful. MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine is too expensive. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines as they become more widely available to the public, visit baptistjax.com/covid19vaccine.