Health Sciences

The healthcare and health sciences industry has rapidly emerged as one of the most vital and fastest-growing sectors in St. Johns County, driving significant growth in both investment and employment. Once a foundational service, healthcare is now a primary economic engine, fueling job creation, attracting leading national and regional providers, and expanding access to high-quality care for residents.

In St. Johns County, major health systems, including AdventHealth, Baptist Health, HCA Healthcare, and Ascension St. Vincent's, are collectively investing millions in new facilities and expansions, substantially increasing healthcare capacity across the region.

This momentum is reflected in a series of transformative projects across the county.

  • UF Health is advancing its new Durbin Park campus, which will include a full-service hospital and is expected to generate approximately 2,000 new jobs.
  • Acadia Healthcare is constructing a state-of-the-art behavioral health facility, adding 239 high-wage positions while addressing a critical need for mental health services.
  • TyMe Institute will soon open a 30,000-square-foot cancer prevention clinic at The Fountains at St. Johns, further expanding specialized care offerings.

Complementing this clinical growth, Publix Super Markets, Inc. is launching its Central Fill pharmaceutical facility, which at full capacity will distribute up to one million pre-packaged prescriptions daily to Publix pharmacies across multiple states. Together, these investments are expanding access to care, creating thousands of high-quality jobs, and reinforcing a dynamic, integrated healthcare ecosystem built on clinical excellence, research capacity, and strong institutional collaboration.

St. Johns County is actively building a strong healthcare workforce pipeline. Programs like the UF Health St. Johns Academy at Tocoi Creek High School give students early exposure through coursework, certifications, and hands-on experience. After high school, students can continue their training through First Coast Technical College, St. Johns River State College, and the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, with additional advanced education and research opportunities nearby at institutions like the University of North Florida, University of Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

These pathways create multiple entry points into healthcare careers, from technical roles to specialized clinical and research positions, ensuring employers have access to a skilled, workforce-ready talent pool.

For companies in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, health IT, or biosciences, St. Johns County offers:

  • Modern infrastructure and available sites
  • Strong institutional partnerships
  • Exceptional quality of life

Healthcare continues to be a key driver of the county’s economic growth.