HCA Florida West Marion Hospital cuts ribbon to celebrate new tower
Ocala, FL — HCA Florida West Marion Hospital today opened its new hospital tower, expanding treatment areas within the hospital to provide healthcare services to additional patients.
The $120 million project will add 24 medical surgical inpatient rooms, 16 inpatient rehabilitation rooms, four new operating rooms, an expansion of the sterile processing department, relocation of the engineering power plant, a laboratory renovation and 247 parking spaces to HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, significantly increasing the facility’s capacity. HCA Florida West Marion Hospital is already the leading hospital in Florida for orthopedic surgeries.
With the additional capacity, HCA Florida West Marion Hospital will be able to expand access for patients north and west of Ocala, ensuring they don’t have to travel far for exceptional care.
“Nearly two years ago we broke ground on a new $120 million expansion. As Marion County rapidly expands, the need for exceptional healthcare is essential,” said Isaiah Zirkle, chief executive officer for HCA Florida West Marion Hospital. “Today we see the fruits of that investment — a new inpatient tower with room for additional expansion.”
Dr. James Duke, a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, said, “The motto of HCA Florida Healthcare is “We Show Up,” and our city is fortunate that this team shows up when we as community members have a need for exceptional healthcare.”
Marion County Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant added, “It’s clear HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital have a substantial impact on segments of our community beyond the healthcare they provide. This morning the HCA Healthcare Foundation awarded United Way of Marion County a $25,000 grant as part of their Healthier Tomorrow Fund. This grant is designed to support innovative initiatives that address high-priority community needs and advance health equity.”
“We opened this inpatient rehabilitation unit three years ago with the purpose of delivering exceptional care,” HCA Florida West Marion Hospital Inpatient Rehabilitation Medical Director Dr. William Palmer Jr. P.M.&R. observed. “HCA Florida West Marion Hospital is in the top 1% of patient experience within HCA Healthcare Inpatient Rehabilitation. With this expanded capacity, our ability to provide continuity of care in our hospital and inpatient rehabilitation gives more patients access to emergency care with the same physicians who treats them in the hospital.”
Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership Vice President of Partner Engagement Jess Schultz noted, “HCA Florida West Marion Hospital and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital are vital economic engines that drive the growth and prosperity of our community — in terms of jobs created, capital investment, opportunities to recruit and train new workers, and above-median wages. This investment into HCA Florida West Marion Hospital shows that HCA Healthcare sees incredible value in the future of our community.”
HCA Florida West Marion Hospital broke ground on the overall $120 million expansion project in February 2024. Besides the four new operating rooms announced today, the project entails:
- 40 additional inpatient beds
- 16 inpatient rehabilitation beds
- 24 medical surgical inpatient beds
- A second-floor shell that allows for future expansion
- Four elevators (two each for patients and staff)
- An additional 247 parking spaces on the hospital’s campus
- Relocation of the hospital’s engineering plant
- An expansion to the sterile processing department
- A laboratory renovation
Combined, HCA Florida West Marion Hospital and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital form the largest hospital system in Marion County, providing a total of 585 beds with this expansion.
HCA Florida West Marion Hospital and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital already provide excellent care through:
- Marion County’s only inpatient Orthopedic Joint Care Center
- The only accredited oncology services in Marion County
- Continuity of care available with Inpatient Rehabilitation Center
- Marion County’s only Level I Trauma Center
- Marion County’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center
- Marion County’s FIRST Regional Resuscitation Center of Excellence
- Three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the organization’s highest award, for Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and for Multiprocedural Procedures (HCA Florida Ocala Hospital)
- HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is also the only hospital in our region with the ability to combine ECMO care: aleading-edge technology that temporarily replaces the function of the patient’s heart and lungs, with emergency and severe trauma care. Learn more about ECMO trauma care.