UF Health Leesburg Hospital to expand specialized women’s services to meet evolving community needs
Maternity services to transition to neighboring hospitals
LEESBURG, Fla. — UF Health Leesburg Hospital is expanding its focus on high-demand women’s specialty services — including cardiovascular care, comprehensive breast health, urogynecology, orthopedics and stroke care — to better meet the changing health needs of the local community.
This change is part of a broader initiative to realign care delivery and expand services to meet the most pressing health needs of the community. As part of this strategic realignment, labor and delivery services at the hospital will sunset later this fall.
This shift reflects broader health care trends across Florida and the U.S., as hospitals adapt to demographic shifts, workforce challenges and a growing focus on high-demand specialties. Nationally — and here in Florida — birth rates have declined while populations continue aging.
Notably, according to U.S. News & World Report, Lake and Sumter counties are among the communities with the fastest-rising number of adults — highlighting an influx of working-age residents into the region. At the same time, the number of deliveries at the hospital has steadily declined in recent years, while the demand for other critical services, including advanced care related to chronic illness, mobility and heart health, among other conditions, has significantly increased.
“This decision was guided first and foremost by our commitment to patient safety and quality of care,” said Heather Long, M.S.N., senior vice president and Central Florida regional president. “We are working closely with regional hospitals that specialize in obstetric care and have the capacity, expertise and neonatal capabilities to deliver safe, respectful and timely maternal services.”
UF Health remains committed to providing emergency care whenever urgent needs arise, available through the system’s emergency rooms.
“While this marks a change in how we deliver maternity care, it reflects our deep responsibility to respond to the evolving needs of our population,” Long said. “By refocusing our resources, we can better serve our community — particularly as more of our residents face age-related health challenges.”
UF Health Leesburg Hospital is committed to ensuring a smooth and compassionate transition for any impacted patients, and care teams are reaching out directly with next steps and personalized transition plans.