Baldwin Health

Recent rebrand and expansion reflects overall community growth.

by Lindsay Mott Fletcher

With the recent and continued growth of Baldwin County, Baldwin Health (formerly South Baldwin Regional Medical Center) has been involved in its own expansion project, which began with a groundbreaking in February 2023 and reached major milestones in October 2024 and October 2025.

The expansion project began in 2023 with construction that would expand and modernize the hospital, enhance services and increase overall capacity to care for patients in Foley, which at the time was (and still reportedly is) Alabama’s fastest-growing city and among the top 10-fastest growing cities in the nation.

This $200-million expansion was the largest ever undertaken by the hospital and impacted numerous services, with expected highlights including a new surgical department with a dedicated outpatient entrance, a larger intensive care unit and new nursing stations. MJ Harris served as the general contractor for this project, and Gresham Smith was the architect.

According to Margaret Roley, CEO of Baldwin Health:

“The project was the culmination of a decade of planning and collaboration aimed at meeting the explosive growth in South Baldwin County. Access to quality healthcare is a critical component of the region’s economic success and quality of life.”

The expansion, which added a state-of-the-art patient tower and other facilities, was completed in phases. The 185,000-square-foot addition opened in October 2024, representing the substantial completion of the five-story patient tower. The new five-story South Tower is the core of the expansion, and the entire project increased the hospital’s capacity from 112 to 142 beds and was intentionally designed with future growth in mind.

The fifth floor was shelled out to allow for expansion as community needs continue to evolve. The project also includes a new outpatient surgery center, along with significant upgrades to the hospital’s surgical suites. The newly designed operating rooms are larger and built to support modern surgical technology and evolving procedural needs, with two additional operating rooms shelled out for future growth. The total investment for the project was $174.5 million.

The expansion allows Baldwin Health to provide a new level of specialized care, including:
♦ A state-of-the-art Women’s and Children’s Unit, featuring a Level II nursery and an expanded labor, delivery and recovery unit
♦ Space to care for double the number of high-acuity patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
♦ Renovations in the existing facility complement the new addition and support a welcoming patient environment.

Also, in October 2024, the decision was made to rebrand from South Baldwin Regional Medical Center to Baldwin Health. Roley said:

“We have grown into a much larger health system, operating in more than 25 locations across the county. The new name, Baldwin Health, is a clear and accurate reflection of our expanded reach and services across the entire Baldwin County community. Our medical group was also renamed to Baldwin Health Medical Group to align with this vision.”

Baldwin Health Medical Group employs more than 70 physicians across Baldwin County, including 10 new practice locations opened in the last three years.

In October 2025, the health system held a grand opening and dedication event for the Wayne T. Smith Atrium, which serves as the new main entrance and is the centerpiece of the overall expansion. The redesigned space streamlines check-in, improves wayfinding and introduces a modern classroom and multipurpose area to support health education, community outreach and staff training.

“Every feature of this new lobby was designed with our patients in mind,” Roley said, continuing:

“Through the Wayne T. Smith Atrium, we are welcoming our neighbors with dignity, clarity and
comfort — opening new doors for learning, connection and healing. This space stands as a daily reminder of our commitment to expanding access, enhancing the patient experience and investing in an environment that fosters both health and human dignity.”

As the expansion project is now complete, Baldwin Health officials can look to the future of what this new space, expanded services and modernized locations can offer to the local community and beyond. According to Roley:

“The goal of the expansion was to prepare for and respond to the continued growth of our community,
keeping our patients safe and healthy for future generations. We are already seeing results by being able to hire 200 more employees over the next three years and bringing in more advanced services like neurospine. With the new capacity and services, the future of Baldwin Health is focused on continued excellence and growth, solidifying our role as a regional leader in specialized care.”