ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda

In the late 1930s, a campaign was started by physician Walter B. Clement, to build a hospital in Punta Gorda. And Leo Wotitzky editor for the Punta Gorda Herald announced the campaign in his column. The first to donate money was the Punta Gorda Rotary with $100.{{Cite web|url=https://charlottecounty.floridaweekly.com/articles/a-true-community-hospital/|title=A true community hospital|date=December 21, 2017|newspaper=Florida Weekly Charlotte County Edition|access-date=December 26, 2024}} A stock company was founded after World War II, it sold shares for $100 to help raise money for the hospital.

In 1945, construction began on Charlotte Hospital and then it stopped when money ran out. To help raise more money for the hospital, the Charlotte Hospital Association was founded.

On August 17, 1947, Charlotte Hospital opened in Charlotte County becoming the first hospital in the county. It had 12 beds, an emergency department, X-ray and laboratory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2002/08/12/first-charlotte-county-hospital-marks-55-years/28538560007/|title=First Charlotte County hospital marks 55 years|date=August 12, 2002|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=August 14, 2023}} It cost $80,000 to have the new hospital built. Before the hospital was built physicians and patients traveled to Arcadia, Fort Myers and Tampa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2002/08/26/community-worked-hard-to-build-charlottes-first-hospital-55-years-ago/28719029007/|title=Community worked hard to build Charlotte's first hospital 55 years ago|date=August 26, 2002|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=December 13, 2024}} The need in Charlotte County was so great that the hospital expanded to 25 beds two years later, it also added a X-ray room, operating theatre, delivery room, nursery and a kitchen.

In 1959, Charlotte Hospital changed its name to Charlotte Community Hospital.

In 1960, a south wing was built for $100,000 increasing the number of beds to 40. In 1963, a north wing was built, increasing the number of beds to 75. In 1965, an intensive care unit with 13 beds was added. Also a new laboratory and a sixty bed nursing home were added, increasing the number of beds to 148. The nursing home was later sold. The construction was funded by a $575,000 grant that was matched by fundraisers, donations and loans. In 1966, Charlotte Community Hospital changed its name to Medical Center. In 1969, it was purchased by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and it was renamed Medical Center Hospital. By 1973, it was part of Southern Adventist Health and Hospital Systems, Inc.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/04/12/what-s-in-store-for-hospitals/|title=What's in store for hospitals?|last=Schatz|first=Amy|date=April 12, 1998|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=August 14, 2023}}

In 1981, a $3 million renovation of the emergency department was finished. In 1984, Riverside Behavioral Center a fifty-two bed psychiatric facility opened. In 1985, the Wellness and Rehabilitation Center opened, also the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center opened. In 1989, Medical Center Hospital performed its first open heart surgery.

In 1990, the hospital purchased Home Health Services.

In 1994, it was sold by Adventist Health System to Health Management Associates and was renamed Charlotte Regional Medical Center. In 1998, the pyschiatric facility was approved as a Baker Act facility by the Florida Department of Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health.

In 1995, the hospital performed its first Rotablator coronary procedure. In 1996, a second cardiac catheterization laboratory opened. In 1997, a plethysmograph was purchased to help Charlotte Regional Medical Center better diagnose lung diseases. By 1998, the capacity at the hospital had increased to 208 beds. In 1999, plastic surgery was performed at Charlotte Regional Medical Center with lasers.

In 2002, the hospital was the first to offer brachytherapy for prostate cancer in Southwest Florida.

In early January 2006, Charlotte Regional Medical Center gave a $10,000 endowment to Edison Community College in remembrance of Leo Wotitzky.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2006/01/05/early-birds-get-the-goods-at-arts-and-crafts-fair/28454710007/|title=Early birds get the goods at arts and crafts fair|last=Williams|first=Betsy|date=January 4, 2006|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=December 30, 2024}} In June, the hospital opened its Stroke Care Center.

On May 3, 2011, Charlotte Regional Medical Center became the first hospital in Charlotte County to use the da Vinci Surgical System.{{Cite web|url=https://charlottecounty.floridaweekly.com/articles/charlotte-regional-medical-center-has-county-exclusive-on-da-vinci-surgical-system/|title=Charlotte Regional Medical Center has county exclusive on da Vinci Surgical System|date=April 21, 2011|newspaper=Florida Weekly Charlotte County Edition|access-date=December 30, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://charlottecounty.floridaweekly.com/articles/charlotte-regionals-da-vinci-system-offers-advances-in-surgical-options/|title=Charlotte Regional's da Vinci system offers advances in surgical options|date=October 18, 2012|newspaper=Florida Weekly Charlotte County Edition|access-date=December 30, 2024}}

On June 27, 2013, Health Management Associates announced that Charlotte Regional Medical Center would be rebranding to Bayfront Health Punta Gorda.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2013/06/27/local-hospitals-get-new-names/29184465007/|title=Local hospitals get new names|last=Koehn|first=Donna|date=June 27, 2013|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=August 16, 2023}} On July 30, it was announced that Community Health Systems would purchase Health Management Associates for $3.6 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/h-m-a-to-be-sold-to-community-health-for-3-6-billion/|title=Community Health Systems to Buy H.M.A. for $3.6 Billion|last=De La Merced|first=Michael|date=July 30, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 25, 2023}} On January 15, 2014, the hospital officially changed its name to Bayfront Health Punta Gorda.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2014/01/15/2-charlotte-hospitals-to-get-bayfront-rebranding/29223469007/|title=2 Charlotte hospitals to get Bayfront rebranding|date=January 15, 2014|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=August 16, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://charlottecounty.floridaweekly.com/articles/bayfront-a-new-name-for-charlotte-and-peace-river-regional-medical-centers/|title=Bayfront: a new name for Charlotte and Peace River regional medical centers|date=January 23, 2014|newspaper=Florida Weekly Charlotte County Edition|access-date=August 16, 2023}}

On January 27, Community Health Systems acquired Health Management Associates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/state/2014/01/27/community-health-systems-completes-acquisition/31859455007/|title=Community Health Systems completes acquisition of HMA|date=January 27, 2014|newspaper=The Gainesville Sun|access-date=August 14, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/01/31/2014-01942/community-health-systems-inc-and-health-management-associates-inc-analysis-of-agreement-containing|title=Community Health Systems, Inc. and Health Management Associates, Inc.; Analysis of Agreement Containing Consent Orders to Aid Public Comment|date=January 31, 2014|website=Federal Register|access-date=August 14, 2023}}

On November 30, 2021, Bayfront Health Punta Gorda was rebranded as ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2021/12/01/chs-rebrands-hospitals-venice-and-charlotte-county/8802950002/|title=Community Health Systems rebrands Venice and Charlotte County hospitals|last=Kimel|first=Earle|date=December 1, 2021|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=August 15, 2023}}

On November 22, 2024, AdventHealth signed a definitive agreement to purchase ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda and its assets from Community Health Systems; also in the purchase agreement was ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte, the total sale price for the properties was $265 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-transactions-and-valuation/chs-to-sell-2-hospitals-to-adventhealth.html|title=CHS to sell 2 hospitals to AdventHealth|last=Condon|first=Alan|date=November 22, 2024|magazine=Becker's Hospital Review|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 10, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://modernhealthcare.com/mergers-acquisitions/chs-community-health-systems-shorepoint-sale-adventhealth|title=Community Health Systems to sell ShorePoint operations for $265M|last=Hudson|first=Caroline|date=November 22, 2024|magazine=Modern Healthcare|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 10, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/venice/2024/12/02/adventhealth-purcases-two-hospitals-in-charlotte-county/76558073007/|title=AdventHealth signs deal to buy two hospitals in Charlotte County; sale to close early 2025|last=Kimel|first=Earle|date=December 2, 2024|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=December 10, 2024}}

On March 1, 2025, ShorePoint Health became part of AdventHealth after being purchased for $260 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-transactions-and-valuation/chs-sells-2-hospitals-to-adventhealth-for-260m.html|title=CHS sells 2 hospitals to AdventHealth for $260M|last=Kuchno|first=Kristen|date=March 3, 2025|magazine=Becker's Hospital Review|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 3, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/mergers-acquisitions/community-health-systems-adventhealth-shorepoint-deal|title=CHS, AdventHealth close $260M ShorePoint deal|last=Hudson|first=Caroline|date=March 3, 2025|journal=Modern Healthcare|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 3, 2025}}

On August 14, 2004, ambulances and rescue vehicles were used to evacuate 110 patients from the hospital after it had part of its roof ripped off by Hurricane Charley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/patients-evacuated-from-damaged-hospital-in-punta-gorda/67-396479681|title=Patients evacuated from damaged hospital in Punta Gorda|date=August 14, 2004|website=WTSP|access-date=December 23, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/charley-leaves-florida-in-devastation-our-worst-fears-have-come-true/73-344872557|title=Charley leaves Florida in devastation: 'Our worst fears have come true'|last=Farer|first=Paola|date=August 14, 2004|website=KUSA|access-date=December 23, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/08/16/charlotte-regional-works-to-reopen-emergeny-center/|title=Charlotte Regional works to reopen emergency center|date=August 16, 2024|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=December 26, 2024}} Also twenty-six patients from its mental health center were evacuated.

On September 9 and 10, 2017, the hospital evacuated due to Hurricane Irma, the storm caused severe flooding to the facility. On September 22, the Agency for Health Care Administration gave the hospital permission to reopen.

On September 25, 2024, the hospital was evacuated due to Hurricane Helene. The hospital's patients were moved by ambulance to ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2024/oct/02/punta-gorda-hospital-closed|title=Punta Gorda hospital closed due to Helene storm damage|last=King|first=Elizabeth|date=October 2, 2024|newspaper=Business Observer|access-date=December 11, 2024}} The hospital received damage from the hurricane due to a storm surge,{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/chs-losses-due-hurricanes-payer-denials-increased-workforce-expenses|title=CHS reports losses due to hurricanes, payer denials, increased workforce expenses|last=Morse|first=Susan|date=October 28, 2024|magazine=Healthcare Finance|access-date=December 11, 2024}} it also received more damage form Hurricane Milton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yoursun.com/puntagorda/news/shorepoint-hospital-punta-gorda-remains-closed/article_e8574116-9159-11ef-abf5-478a47b3d684.html|title=ShorePoint Hospital Punta Gorda remains closed|last=Allen-Emrich|first=Elaine|date=October 24, 2024|newspaper=YourSun.com|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 23, 2024}} On December 19, it was announced that the hospital would not be reopening, due to the damage that it received.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox4now.com/punta-gorda/shorepoint-health-punta-gorda-to-permanently-close-following-hurricane-damage|title=ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda to permanently close following hurricane damage|last=Knapp|first=Kaitlin|date=December 19, 2024|website=WFTX-TV|access-date=December 23, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://winknews.com/2024/12/20/shorepoint-health-in-punta-gorda-to-permanently-close/|title=ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close|last=Belizaire|first=Tim|date=December 20, 2024|website=WINK-TV|access-date=December 23, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/florida-hospital-faces-uncertain-future.html|title=Florida hospital faces uncertain future|last=Carbajal|first=Erica|date=December 20, 2024|magazine=Becker's Hospital CFO Report|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 23, 2024}} The majority of its employees are now working at ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/news/beyond-repair-shorepoint-punta-gorda-hospital-will-not-reopen/article_4d81dabe-be15-11ef-a1e7-db0ac7023f7c.html|title='Beyond Repair'{{!}}ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda Hospital will not reopen|date=December 19, 2024|newspaper=YourSun.com|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 23, 2024}}

Due to the closer of ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda, it will be hard for people to cross the Peace River. The river floods during a hurricane covering Gilchrist Bridge.{{Cite web|url=https://winknews.com/2025/01/02/the-importance-of-shorepoint-health-in-punta-gorda/|title=The importance of ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda|last=Dolan|first=Paul|last2=Morataya|first2=Elyssa|date=January 2, 2025|website=WINK-TV|access-date=January 29, 2025}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite web|url=https://charlottecounty.floridaweekly.com/articles/hospital-interior-gets-a-facelift/|title=Hospital interior gets a facelift|date=November 2, 2023|newspaper=Florida Weekly Charlotte County Edition|access-date=March 27, 2025|ref=none}}
• {{Cite web|url=https://www.fox4now.com/punta-gorda/punta-gorda-residents-concerned-about-lack-of-hospital-emergency-care|title=Punta Gorda residents concerned about lack of hospital, emergency care|last=Orenczuk|first=Alex|date=March 25, 2025|website=WFTX-TV|access-date=March 27, 2025|ref=none}}

• [https://data.usatoday.com/hospital-capacity/facility/bayfront-health-punta-gorda/100047/ Bayfront Health Punta Gorda (Punta Gorda, FL)] USA Today
• [https://data.montgomeryadvertiser.com/hospital-ratings/detail/shorepoint-health-punta-gorda/FL/100047/ ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda] Montgomery Advertiser
• [https://hospitalcompare.io/profile/bayfront-health-punta-gorda-fl Bayfront Health Punta Gorda] HospitalCompare

{{authority control}}

{{Portal bar|Christianity|Florida|Medicine}}

{{AdventHealth}}

Category:1947 establishments in Florida

Category:1994 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Buildings and structures in Charlotte County, Florida

Category:Former psychiatric hospitals

Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1947

Category:Hospitals established in 1947

Category:Hospitals in Florida

Category:Punta Gorda, Florida