Florida Hospital East Expansion Creates Healing Environment

Florida Hospital East Orlando Expansion Creates Healing Environment

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 1, 2007 - A new day is dawning in East Orlando, as Florida Hospital East Orlando (FHEO), a not-for-profit community hospital, is growing to meet the exploding healthcare needs of the community with its brand new five-story addition.  Expected to open to the public in mid-February, this patient tower is the first new tower in the Florida Hospital system since the Florida Hospital Celebration Health campus opened in 1997. 

"Our new tower signifies a new era for Florida Hospital East Orlando.  Our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ and to provide skilled physicians, caring employees, and the latest technology will make the Florida Hospital East Orlando patient tower a new symbol of hope and healing," said Ed Noseworthy, senior vice-president and administrator of Florida Hospital East Orlando.

"I'm pleased Florida Hospital East Orlando is expanding in a booming part of our community.  The new expansion will increase access to healthcare, one of the most critical issues facing Central Florida," said Congressman Ric Keller, (R-FL).

The 200,000-square-foot patient tower adds 80 new private rooms, allows for more outpatient services to be accessible on the hospital campus, and expands the hospital's experienced medical staff.  But what's most unique about the new tower is the new and innovative hospital design geared toward enhancing the patient experience.  From the convenient cobblestone and covered portico and accessible "healing boulevard" of outpatient services to the private, warm patient rooms with space to accommodate visitors, these patient experience enhancements will create a healing environment.

"The new patient rooms at Florida Hospital East Orlando will set the standard for Florida Hospital patient rooms.  They are designed to be relaxing and built to appeal to the mind, body and spirit," Noseworthy said.

In addition, the new building brings improved technology such as a new, in-house, state-of-the-art MRI; a new ultrasound machine; new X-ray machines; and a new nuclear medicine camera.  

 "With partners like Florida Hospital, Orange County is becoming a medical destination, and this new tower at Florida Hospital East Orlando is yet another example of medical-economic growth that will benefit the people who live here," said Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty.

The expansion includes: 

• New five-story, 200,000-square-foot patient tower
• 80 new private rooms and capacity for 80 future rooms
• New lobby and outpatient waiting and registration areas along the "healing boulevard" 
• New chapel and healing garden
• Renovated and expanded Imaging Department
• Expanded Cardiology Department
• Expanded Sleep Disorders Center
• New in-house, state-of-the-art MRI
• New cobblestone and covered portico  
• 430 new parking spaces
• New dining hall ("East Side Bistro") and gift shop opening in the spring

The new Florida Hospital East Orlando patient tower is the first of several major expansion projects underway for the Florida Hospital system. Florida Hospital Orlando and Florida Hospital Altamonte are also adding new patient towers, while Florida Hospital Winter Park, Florida Hospital Kissimmee,

Florida Hospital Celebration Health, and Florida Hospital Apopka are making significant facility improvements and additions.  The Florida Hospital East Orlando project cost approximately $80 million and was made possible in part by the generous philanthropic support of the community. 

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

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