SPRING HILL — A $15.2 million freestanding emergency room opens Sunday, July 19 on Spring Hill Drive, bringing around-the-clock emergency care to a community the federal government classifies as medically underserved.
The Health Resources and Services Administration designates both Hernando County and Spring Hill as medically underserved areas.
HCA Florida Oak Hill South Emergency, at 11242 Spring Hill Drive, will operate as an extension of HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital. The 10,860-square-foot building holds 11 treatment rooms, including a trauma bay, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation room, a private triage area and dedicated pediatric treatment rooms. On-site laboratory, X-ray, CT and ultrasound services are meant to speed diagnosis and treatment.
Patients may walk in, as they can at the hospital’s emergency room. Anyone who needs to be admitted will be transferred to an inpatient setting.
“Our beautiful new freestanding emergency room represents a significant investment — $15.2 million — and an even greater commitment to meeting the needs of our fast-growing area,” said Ken Wicker, CEO of HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital. “Today symbolizes more than the opening of a new building. It represents access, preparedness, and a promise that as Hernando County continues to grow, HCA Florida Healthcare will continue to grow with it.”
Board-certified emergency physicians and nurses will staff the site, said Dr. Jonathan Schwadron, medical director of emergency services.
“We will continue to work closely with the community’s first responders to provide the very best in emergency service to our patients,” he said.
The facility will add 30 jobs. Oak Hill Hospital employs more than 1,600 people and has a medical staff of 800 physicians.
“Hospitals are economic anchors in their communities, providing stability and job growth,” said Dr. Peter Tan, chairman of the hospital’s board of trustees. “This new facility will positively affect the local economy with the addition of 30 new jobs and will expand the economic imprint we have on Hernando County.”
Layton Construction broke ground in September 2025. The Spring Hill project is the company’s fourth freestanding emergency room in Florida in 14 months and its 29th with HCA Florida, the state’s largest health care network.
“These facilities are like mini hospitals with all the equipment you need for lifesaving care,” said Albert Mosely, a senior project manager at Layton Construction. “We are proud to support communities like Spring Hill that need emergency care closer to home.”