The new UF Health Children’s Surgical Center will open to pediatric patients and their families on April 29. Patients will benefit from an expanded facility, which will accommodate the growing need for specialized care for children.

The new 17,500-square-foot building is located on Hull Road off Southwest 34th Street. It is connected to the UF Health Florida Surgical Center and has its own family-friendly entrance and waiting area.

With a soothing, nature-themed design that mirrors the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, the facility features four large operating rooms designed specifically for procedures for children and adolescents.

Separate preoperative, postanesthesia care and postoperative recovery areas are designed to ease pediatric surgery patients and their loved ones through every step of their experience.

Designing the new space was a collaborative effort. UF Health facilities experts and architects used valuable input from UF College of Medicine faculty physicians and UF Health Shands nursing and clinical staff from the center.

The last day of operation at the current location, in the Ayers Building on Southwest Second Avenue, is April 21. From April 22-28, pediatric surgery patients will receive care at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.