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‘Innovative, fresh, unprecedented': UF Health breaks ground on new hospital in North Jacksonville

From left, UF Health North Administrator Wayne Marshall, UF Health Jacksonville CEO Russ Armistead and Daniel R. Wilson, MD, PhD, dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, shovel ceremonial dirt Monday, Nov. 16, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new hospital at UF Health North.
UF Health faculty and staff, as well as local elected officials and other community leaders, were among those in attendance during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new five-story inpatient tower at UF Health North in Jacksonville.
Wayne Marshall, associate vice president and administrator for UF Health North, addresses attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony.

An open field of green grass was the backdrop as UF Health Jacksonville CEO Russ Armistead greeted the crowd during a special groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Nov. 16, at UF Health North.

The field signified opportunity and growth, as well as a promise to bring robust, comprehensive health care to North Jacksonville. Over the next 18 months, that space will be transformed into a 92-bed inpatient tower that will complement the existing medical office building, which stood immediately beside Monday’s ceremony setup. Once built, UF Health North will be the only hospital in that area of the city, creating convenience for residents of northern Duval County, Nassau County and Southeast Georgia.

“We’ve always embraced our mission to heal, comfort, educate and discover. And we’ve dedicated our work to improving the lives of those we touch through quality health care, medical education, innovation and research,” Armistead said. “The building of the hospital on the UF Health North campus takes that commitment even farther.”

UF Health faculty and staff, as well as local elected officials and other community leaders, attended the groundbreaking, which featured remarks and the turning of ceremonial dirt – marking the official start of the hospital construction efforts.

“Today is truly a groundbreaking. Not just with shovels moving dirt, but in ways that reflect the literal meaning of the word: innovative, fresh, unprecedented, inventive,” said Daniel R. Wilson, MD, PhD, dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “These words capture the essence of UF Health North from the spectacular architecture to the new array of services available.”

Many in attendance Monday marveled at the existing six-story medical office building while sharing their anticipation for when the new 160,000-square-foot hospital will open. Jason Hardwick, director of patient access at UF Health Jacksonville, believes the new hospital will positively impact the surrounding area.

“The Northside is lacking a facility of this magnitude, and this is a huge part of the community,” said Hardwick, who lives in North Jacksonville. “The north is the last side to be built up. This is well-deserved for the community and the organization.”

Kimberly Solomon, case manager at UF Health North, said the new hospital will complement the existing emergency room nicely. Also, many residents in that area won’t have to venture all the way to the 8th Street campus for services.

“It’s hard for people to travel into the city, especially patients from Georgia,” Solomon said. “They say they’re so happy it’s closer. It’s another great addition for the Northside.”

Monday’s groundbreaking came just nine months after the grand opening of the medical office building, which includes a full-service 24/7 emergency room, advanced imaging, an outpatient surgery center and more than 30 specialty services offered by top University of Florida and community physicians.

“We have received so much positive feedback about UF Health North from the North Jacksonville community,” said David S. Guzick, MD, PhD, senior vice president for health affairs at the University of Florida and president of UF Health. “The design and the interiors take your breath away. And our focus on providing our patients with easy access, the best service and the latest technology in a setting unlike any other are things that really do make this campus unique. We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from this wonderful community.”

The new five-story hospital will have all-private rooms and will adjoin the outpatient medical complex. It will feature a 12-bed labor and delivery unit with two cesarean operating rooms and an eight-bed women’s services unit, a 24-bed intensive care unit and two separate 24-bed medical/surgical suites. All of the patient rooms will feature soothing tones to enhance the patient experience.

Construction of the new hospital is projected to be completed in mid-2017. More than 370 positions are expected to be created with the opening of this facility.

UF Health North is located on 70 acres on Max Leggett Parkway near Jacksonville International Airport, River City Marketplace and the growing commercial area on and around Duval Road. It is approximately 15 minutes from Nassau County and less than 30 minutes from Georgia.