St. Petersburg, Florida – (January 12, 2021) – Northside Hospital, was known as Hubert Rutland Hospital when it held its Grand Opening on January 10, 1976. The hospital has transitioned from a small community hospital to the award winning hospital it is today. Over the 45 years, Northside Hospital has maintained continued growth and advancements in clinical care. Through expansion, the technologically advanced hospital continues to allow our highly skilled physicians, nursing and caregivers the opportunity to serve this growing community.
“Northside Hospital has been making a difference in our community for 45 years by providing compassionate care to those we are privileged to serve. This is a testament to the thousands of talented caregivers who have worked at Northside Hospital over the years,” said Valerie Powell-Stafford, CEO Northside Hospital.
Growing from humble beginnings, the current 288 bed hospital now treats over 50,000 patients per year and has over one thousand caregivers. Two of those caregivers share why they have been employed since the beginning.
Bob Gross’s first day of employment at Hubert Rutland Hospital was January 7, 1976. He started before the first patient was admitted to the hospital. Over the years, Bob has served in many roles from Head of Security to now a Lead Mechanic in the Engineering Department. Bob shared, “I’m needed and appreciated in my role. There’s a sense of purpose working in the hospital and I plan to celebrate the 50th Anniversary here in 2026.”
Pam Graham started at then Hubert Rutland Hospital in March 1976. She helped hang blinds to open units that weren’t ready at the initial opening. When asked why she has stayed at one place for almost 45 years she shared, “I love my job. I enjoy taking care of people, being there for my patients and the physicians.” Pam is the Pre-Op coordinator to this day in the Same Day Surgery Unit she opened more than 40 years ago. “I had been at Northside for about two years when they asked me to open the Same Day Surgery Unit. I was honored to be asked and am proud of this. It’s my baby.”
“Our caregivers are committed to providing exceptional care every day, every patient and we appreciate all they do to care for this amazing community.” said Powell-Stafford.
We will celebrate our caregivers throughout the year by kicking off festivities at shift change at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12 and Wednesday, January 13! If you would like to interview one of caregivers regarding this milestone, please contact Carrie Johnson, PR & Communications Director, Northside Hospital at 727-521-5265 or Carrie.Johnson@HCAHealthcare.com
About Northside Hospital
Serving the community since 1976, Northside Hospital is a 288-bed hospital, offering a full range of services including comprehensive and interventional stroke care, preventative and corrective cardiac care, full-service orthopedic and spine treatment an ER 24/7®, and general surgery. As one of the first hospitals in the area to achieve Atrial Fibrillation Certification (SCPC), our technologically advanced hospital allows our highly skilled physicians, nursing, and caregivers to serve our growing community. Northside Hospital is the first nationally recognized Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pinellas County and nationally recognized for quality and safety by earning an ‘A’ Patient Safety grade from the Leapfrog Group Spring 2020. Our employees voted us a Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace in 2020. With campus-based specialized services including the Tampa Bay Heart Institute and the Neuroscience Institute for Interventional Neuroradiology and neurologic care, Northside Hospital continues to enhance and expand its services to better serve the community.