Florida Hospital Orlando (see more articles like this)

October 25, 2005 - Orlando - Dirt has been moved, buildings demolished, and roads readied, clearing the way to begin major construction on Florida Hospital Orlando’s new 15-story patient tower that will house one of the largest Emergency Departments and one of the largest cardiac catherization labs in the country.  On Tuesday, October 25, Florida Hospital showcased these sizzling plans to the community at a glowing, nighttime gathering where local leaders, former patients, hospital officials, and the community Illuminated the Possibilities with a breathtaking display that lit up Florida Hospital’s vision for the future.

“Darkness has always been a metaphor for gloom and light is a metaphor for hope and healing.  We chose to do this event at night so that we could meet the darkness with the light of hope and healing, just as this new building will be a beacon of hope and healing for our community and our patients,” said Florida Hospital President, Don Jernigan.

During the event, which was a neighborhood gathering on Rollins Street at the Orlando campus, the community was able to actually see the outline of the new patient tower when a magnificent ring of fire, lit by some of Florida Hospital’s former patients, burned into the night sky.  The evening ceremony also featured fireworks, stories from patients who have been touched by Florida Hospital, and a children’s choir singing Imagine the Possibilities, an original song written for Florida Hospital’s expansion announcement in February 2004.

Florida House Majority Leader Representative Andy Gardiner, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and many other local leaders were on-hand for the event.  “Health care is one of the most important quality of life issues that our community faces, and I am so pleased that Florida Hospital has the foresight to plan now to meet the growing health needs of our citizens,” said House Majority Leader Representative Andy Gardiner. 

Florida Hospital is building a new patient tower that will contain the Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute, 440 patient beds, and one of the largest Emergency Departments in the country.  “Florida Hospital is leading the way in helping Orange County to become a world-class medical destination.  This new facility will bring a new level of health care to our area,” said Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty. 

But, more than bricks and mortar, the facility will create a total healing atmosphere that reduces stress, replenishes the spirit, and is visually appealing.  National experts have helped architects design a healing environment that will utilize open space, light, and the natural setting of beautiful Lake Estelle. Florida Hospital has spent almost two years coming up with the best possible design for the new tower’s hi-tech, comfortable, private rooms that cater to the caregiver, patient, and family.

“Our nurses, environmental services workers, and other employees played a big role in the design of these rooms which will be a sanctuary of healing for our patients.  They took the prototype and worked and re-worked it to come up with the most functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing design possible.  Here we hope to care for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of our patients,” said Florida Hospital Orlando Chief Operating Officer, Randy Haffner.

The expansion project is necessitated by the growing Central Florida community.  According to the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Metro Orlando will grow at a rate of 14 percent over the next five years.  The area’s population is expected to increase by 21 percent by 2010 and the region is projected to remain among the nation’s fastest-growing areas throughout the decade. 

“Florida Hospital’s expansion will have a significant impact on this community.  Not only will it create more jobs for our citizens, it will also aid in our efforts to lure new businesses to Orlando,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Florida Hospital is still raising money for the expansion project which will cost an estimated $255 million.   The patient tower is scheduled to be complete in October 2008, when Florida Hospital marks its 100th year of service to the Central Florida community.

The expansion event was sponsored by Brasfield & Gorrie, HuntonBrady Architects, DRMP Surveyors, TLC Engineering, and Walter P. Moore Engineering.

For more information, please contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at (407) 303-8217.