About us

UF Health Central Florida is an award-winning, not-for-profit health care system and the largest, most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region.

We care for patients in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties through inpatient acute hospital services at UF Health The Villages® Hospital and UF Health Leesburg Hospital, inpatient rehabilitation services at UF Health The Villages® Rehabilitation Hospital, 24/7 emergency care at UF Health The Villages® Hospital Freestanding E.R. at Brownwood and diagnostic laboratory services at several locations.

As a premier health care provider, UF Health Central Florida takes pride in providing progressive, innovative technology, along with building strong relationships with patients, families, physicians and residents of the communities we serve.

History

In November 2000, a ground-breaking ceremony for The Villages® Regional Hospital was held on El Camino Real, the site of a former buffalo pasture. On July 15, 2002, the Hospital opened its doors as a $38 million, 60-bed hospital. The need for an even larger hospital became apparent shortly after its opening. Fortunately, the facility was designed with shelled space for future expansion. In November 2007, the first expansion was completed, creating a total of 198 patient beds. Overall services also grew to include spinal surgery and cardiac catheterization using the world’s first Philips Ambient Experience Catheterization Lab. In 2009, the first endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm was performed and in October 2011, The Villages® Regional Hospital became a certified stroke center.

In January of 2008, The Villages® Regional Hospital and sister hospital, Leesburg Regional Medical Center (opened in 1963), announced a system name that collectively identified them as Central Florida Health Alliance. Each hospital kept its individual name while sharing a common commitment to quality care and service excellence. Central Florida Health Alliance was renamed Central Florida Health in 2016.

UF Health Central Florida, formerly known as Central Florida Health and acquired by University of Florida Health in January 2020, is an award-winning, not-for-profit health care system and the largest, most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. UF Health Central Florida cares for patients in Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties through inpatient acute hospital services at UF Health The Villages® Hospital and UF Health Leesburg Hospital, inpatient rehabilitation services at UF Health The Villages® Rehabilitation Hospital and diagnostic laboratory services at several locations.

Today, UF Health The Villages® Hospital is a 307-bed acute care hospital that has been serving residents of The Villages® as well as patients in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties since 2002. The hospital’s teams of physicians and clinical staff work together to offer specialty services, advanced technology and clinical studies — bringing world-class health care closer to you and your loved ones. In addition to being accredited by The Joint Commission, UF Health The Villages® Hospital has been recognized for excellence in patient care and workplace health. The American College of Cardiology awarded UF Health The Villages® Hospital with its highest Chest Pain Center accreditation and U.S. News & World Report has rated several of the hospital's clinical areas as 'High Performing.' In 2019, Becker's Hospital Review named UF Health The Villages® Hospital on its list of the 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare.

Message from Heather Long

Standing proud as one of the country's most beautiful and unique health care facilities, UF Health The Villages® Hospital combines clinical expertise, groundbreaking technologies and modern luxuries to create a patient-centered care experience like no other. Our hospital is located in the heart of America's Healthiest Hometown - The Villages®, Florida.

With its team of dedicated health care heroes, UF Health The Villages® Hospital has been serving residents of The Villages® as well as patients in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties since 2002 when the hospital opened with just 60 beds. In 2012, we were recognized by Modern Healthcare as the fastest growing acute care hospital in the United States. Now at 307 patient beds, our hospital is leading the way in providing advanced care to the tri-county area and beyond. We offer a top cardiovascular program with 'door to open vessel' times far exceeding the national recommendation, state-of-the-art robotic surgery, world-class orthopaedic care, and life-saving emergency care all backed by the experts at UF Health.

UF Health The Villages® Hospital is part of UF Health Central Florida, an award-winning, not-for-profit health care system and the largest, most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. We care for patients through inpatient acute hospital services at UF Health The Villages® Hospital and UF Health Leesburg Hospital, inpatient rehabilitation services at UF Health The Villages® Rehabilitation Hospital and diagnostic laboratory services at several locations. As a premier health care provider, UF Health Central Florida takes pride in providing progressive, innovative technology, along with building strong relationships with patients, families, physicians and residents of the communities we serve.

It is truly an honor to be part of this world-class academic health system that is respected as a leader in medicine and research, both nationally and in our state. I call Central Florida home and I am committed to ensuring that we identify new strategies to improve patient care and continue to deliver on our promise of improving the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve in the region.

Heather B. Long, MSN
Chief Executive Officer
UF Health Central Florida