Area residents, local officials and business leaders were present as Ocala Health leadership broke ground on the site of the new 36 bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at West Marion Community Hospital.
The $33M project at West Marion Community Hospital will add over 40,600 square feet of new space dedicated to inpatient rehabilitation services. This project will include the addition of 36 inpatient beds, bringing the total to 222 inpatient beds. The Emergency Department at West Marion Community Hospital is also expanding as part of this project, with the addition of six low-acuity beds that will create a fast track space, an expanded waiting room, as well as a new emergency room entrance. Additional parking will be added as well, with 49 parking spots being added for a total of 783 parking spaces. The project is scheduled to be completed in August 2022.
“With the recent addition of advanced neurological and stroke care capabilities at Ocala Health and the certification of Ocala Regional as the region’s only comprehensive stroke center, in addition to our trauma services, we recognized the need to offer additional rehab services to these patients,” says Gabe Bullaro, CEO, West Marion Community Hospital. “Our team has demonstrated excellent care in response to trauma and stroke and now we are excited to offer the next step in the treatment process, leading to a comprehensive continuum of care. This inpatient rehab unit will be an environment for patients to regain function of day-to-day activities. For example, there will be a specialized fitness facility and dining facilities so patients can practice these activities before returning home. This investment reflects our continued commitment to deliver the highest quality of care for the patients of Marion County.”
Ocala Health encompasses Ocala Regional Medical Center, a 288-bed facility located in the heart of Ocala, and West Marion Community Hospital, a 186-bed hospital located in west Marion County, Summerfield ER, a freestanding emergency department located in southern Marion County, Maricamp ER, a freestanding emergency department located on Maricamp Road in Ocala, and Trailwinds Village ER, a freestanding emergency department located in Sumter County. Ocala Regional Medical Center is a Level II Trauma Center and a Comprehensive Stroke Center.
The hospitals offer a host of other quality and award winning services including orthopedic care and joint replacement, robotic surgery, cardiac and vascular services including open heart surgery and interventional procedures, emergency, neurological and rehabilitation services, and bariatric surgery.
Ocala Health has the only Commission on Cancer approved cancer center in Marion County. Ocala Health’s outpatient facilities include Family Care Specialists, a primary care network of six locations throughout Marion County; Advanced Imaging Centers; a freestanding Wound and Hyperbaric Center; a Senior Wellness Community Center; and three surgical and physician specialty practices.
The HCA Healthcare North Florida Division is a comprehensive network of 14 hospitals, numerous outpatient surgery centers & imaging facilities, physician practices, medical education training programs and a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses in the North Florida and Central Florida communities. HCA Healthcare North Florida physicians and employees continue to provide the quality foundation for delivering care to our patients safely, effectively and compassionately. Its hospitals are Joint Commission Accredited, with designations such as Accredited Chest Pain Centers, Primary Stroke Center Certification and four Level II Trauma Centers in Marion, Okaloosa, Osceola and Seminole county.
