Orlando Health is joining forces with physician-led practice Watson Health on a new hospital, the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, which is slated to debut in June 2026.
Orlando Health Midwest Region Senior Vice President Carlos Carrasco said in a statement that combining their respective strengths will allow the organizations to expand their services and care footprint.
"This is one of the largest hospital capital investments Orlando Health has made," said Carrasco. "It's a big commitment to the community. But it's a big commitment because the community deserves it."
"This collaboration will provide our devoted patient base with expanded access to the doctors and care they trust most," said Watson Clinic CEO Jason Hirsbrunner.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
The organizations said the affiliation will be evident in many areas throughout the hospital. Experts from both entities have been heavily involved in collaboratively designing the facility, selecting the technologies being employed, and planning the services that will be offered.
On opening day, the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital will open with more than 300 inpatient beds, 69 emergency and observation beds, 11 working operating rooms, four cardiac and interventional suites, and 18 beds in an intensive care unit that will serve 36 patients at full build-out.
Obstetric services and accommodations will be available on opening day with eight labor and delivery rooms, two special C-section operating rooms and more than 25 post-partum rooms. A 12-bed neonatal intensive care unit will debut shortly after the hospital opens.
Funding for the project was not disclosed.
THE LARGER TREND
Orlando Health is a private nonprofit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, serving the southeastern U.S., including Florida, Alabama and Puerto Rico.
The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in fiscal 2023, it said.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.