Board approves funding for new hospital

Board approves funding for new hospital

In September, the UF Health Shands board of directors approved funding for the construction of a new specialty hospital that will house towers for neuromedicine and heart and vascular services. UF Health officials said the new hospital will accommodate anticipated growth in these areas, as well as continued growth in our main hospitals.

“We are grateful to the board for supporting this effort to expand our medical services for patients who entrust us with their care,” said David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health. “The new hospital will establish the highest standard for heart, vascular and neurological care anywhere in the Southeast.”

The plan for the new hospital is part of the long-term strategic plan for UF Health, “Forward Together.” The addition of the hospital will address growing patient needs in two key medical fields. The building costs will amount to $415 million.

The new specialty hospital will be located on Archer Road just east of the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital, and will feature 216 beds, including 120 ICU beds and 20 state-of-the-art operating rooms. There will also be a parking garage with 600 spaces to accommodate patients and families. The neuromedicine and cardiovascular teams in the new facility will provide care to patients with neurologic, neurosurgical, heart or vascular conditions.

Work will begin this month to prepare the site for construction. Construction will begin in early 2015, and will be completed in late 2017 or early 2018. Officials anticipate the tower opening for patients in the spring of 2018.