UF Health Shands board approves funding for new hospital

The UF Health Shands board today approved funding for the construction of a new specialty hospital that will house towers for neuromedicine and cardiovascular services. The new hospital will accommodate anticipated growth in these areas, plus accommodate continued growth in our main hospital, UF Health officials said today.

“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 approximately $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 towers will provide care to patients with neurologic, neurosurgical, heart or vascular conditions.

Work on the site will begin in November. Construction will begin in early 2015, and will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017. Officials anticipate the tower opening for patients in 2018.