HCA Florida West breaks ground on 'necessary' multi-million dollar clinic in Pace
HCA Florida broke ground early Tuesday morning on an 11,000-square-foot free-standing emergency department building on the Northeast corner of U.S. Highway 90 and Pea Ridge Connector Road that is focused on providing medical services for an underserved population and its visitors.
Pea Ridge Emergency expects to add around 50 jobs for healthcare professionals.
Individuals experiencing acute emergency health issues that are too urgent to wait for help at a doctor's office or other crowded medical facilities are likely to find the new development helpful. Located specifically at 4610 Pea Ridge Connecter Road, the clinic will be approximately 12 miles from HCA Florida West Hospital.
The ceremony featured a host of public officials and representatives from HCA Florida West who buzzed about the incoming development.
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"We know firsthand the commitment that HCA Florida West Hospital has for our community," said Donna Tucker, CEO of the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce. "We're thrilled this new facility is being built in central Santa Rosa County that will not only serve our current residents, but being a chamber we know will be a great recruiting tool as we welcome new businesses and residents into the area."
The $12 million clinic is set to open in the first quarter of 2024 and will operate 24/7 out of the gate. According to CEO Gabe Bullaro the facility will feature 11 private beds available for patient use in addition to diagnostic laboratory and imaging services including: CT scans, ultrasounds and digital x-ray. It will also accept most major medical insurance plans.
According to Bullaro, the clinic plans to work with local schools to provide guidance for those interested in the health care field. It is already designated as a comprehensive stroke center, which will ensure that those in need of advanced treatment will find the help they need swiftly and conveniently.
He credited the collaboration between the county, Rep. Michelle Salzman and HCA in implementing such a crucial service into a growing community.
"What's special here is that the county and I have been talking about where does health care fit in the strategic plan for the county," Bullaro says. "We're not an afterthought here. .. If the community grows too fast and afterwards, they say, 'listen we forgot to incorporate healthcare,' by then you're playing catch up."
Salzman added, "I think the most important thing is that the private sector are embracing the challenges that we're facing. People like HCA ... seeing that there's a need in the community and coming in and filling that need, I think that's the most important takeaway from today."
The site location was originally chosen by County Commissioner Sam Parker back in 2017 as being "the hub of the growth in the community." Six years later, HCA's trust in the investment paid off and the new ER is now the first major groundbreaking on the newly constructed road.
"I'd like to thank Santa Rosa County leaders who have made this place such a great place for investment," Bullaro says. "I hope today's handshakes and dirt throwing is the beginning of lasting relationships where we consider doing more together."
HCA has scored A's its their hospital safety grade from the Leapfrog Group this spring and in fall of 2022. Officials say they plan to continue delivering excellent services at the new facility through a "hub and spoke" model.
In the case of HCA, adopting the model allows the hospital to provide care at specialized satellite facilities that are convenient to community members. In the case of serious emergencies or should patients require advanced care, ambulances will be available to transport them to the main hospital.
Dr. Andrew Hasebroock, director of the Emergency Department at HCA Florida West Hospital said the model especially benefits the more rural communities in between metropolitan hubs.
"There's stretches and stretches from (Pensacola) to Tallahassee where there's an area of (medical) need," he said. "Sometimes we even get patients from Southern Georgia ... some people will drive long distances just to get to us."
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: hca florida west hospital adding new clinic on Pea Ridge road
