Florida State University (FSU) has announced plans to build an acute care hospital under the FSU Health brand in Panama City Beach to improve healthcare access in north-west Florida, US.
Contingent on approval from the State of Florida, the project will cater to the health needs of residents in the Bay and Walton counties.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The Florida Board of Governors has approved bond financing for the initiative, which is estimated at approximately $414m.
The FSU Board of Trustees has also endorsed the financing.
FSU is expected to collaborate with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) to lease and operate the hospital, subject to the City of Tallahassee’s approval.
TMH president and CEO Mark O’Bryant said: “By combining our expertise and resources, we are ensuring this growing community has access to top-tier medical care, both now and in the future.”
The St Joe Company has contributed nearly 16.5 acres of land for the hospital’s location. Positioned adjacent to the newly opened Medical Office Building, the hospital will be part of the same medical district.
The initial phase is designed to house up to 180 beds, providing a wide array of services such as emergency medicine, general surgery, and diagnostic imaging.
Plans also include the establishment of specialised service lines, including neurology, cardiac care, and orthopaedics.
Another aspect of the project is the Academic Clinical Collaboration Agreement, which will oversee future clinical research and medical education programmes at the hospital.
FSU president Richard McCullough said: “We are proud to be part of this region’s future, and we look forward to opening the doors to a new era of health care that will benefit families and communities for generations to come.”
Construction of the new Panama City Beach hospital is expected to begin shortly, with the opening expected to take place in 2028.
In January 2023, FSU, St Joe Company and TMH initiated the construction of a healthcare campus in Panama City Beach.
