BROOKSVILLE — A $5 million commitment from philanthropists Frank and Carol Morsani will anchor a new health center in Spring Hill, one that would put primary care, behavioral health, nutrition services and a pharmacy under one roof in a county the federal government has designated as short of all of them.
Hernando County commissioners cleared the way Aug. 25, voting 4-0 to declare a county-owned site on Forest Oaks Boulevard surplus land and to open negotiations on a 99-year lease at a nominal fee. Premier Community HealthCare Group, which asked for the land, would build, staff and pay for the center itself.
“What I’m asking for is land,” Joey Resnick, Premier’s president and CEO, told commissioners. “I am not asking for money. I am not asking for finance.”
The center would sit in the county government campus near the tax collector’s office, with capacity for more than 15,000 patients a year and 60 to 70 jobs on site.
The need is documented. Hernando County is a federally designated shortage area for primary care, mental health and dental care. There are 1,394 residents for every mental health provider, compared with 693 statewide, and behavioral health hospitalizations run 46% above the state rate. The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment ranks behavioral health the top priority among seven and health care access second. Of the residents surveyed, 72.5% named access to care the single biggest factor in quality of life — ahead of food, jobs, schools and housing.
“We’re excited about it and truly excited that we’re able to expand our services in the county,” Resnick said.
Premier has operated in Hernando County since 2017 and in Pasco County since 1979. It runs one site in Spring Hill and one in Brooksville, at the health department. Its board of directors — 51% of whom are patients — finished a three-year strategic plan this year that put access in Hernando at the top of the list.
The project would cost $9.1 million to $10.1 million, according to Premier’s presentation. How the organization closes the gap above $5 million has not been settled.
“We’ve talked about doing a capital campaign, we’ve talked about potentially talking to state legislators, federal legislators as well as financing some on our own,” Resnick said.
Once 90% of the money is committed, he said, construction would start and take nine to 12 months.
The presentation
The site falls inside the county’s Public Service Facility Overlay District, Resnick said.
“For patients who are delaying care because the trip, cost or wait feels overwhelming, this new health center represents a future where primary care, behavioral health, nutrition support and pharmacy services are closer, coordinated and easier to access,” he said.
The Morsanis have designated their $5 million through their estate plans to support the Spring Hill center and Premier’s long-term work in Hernando County.
“The Morsanis’ transformational commitment allows us to accelerate a timeline that otherwise would have taken many years to prepare for,” said Tony Coleman, chairman of Premier’s board. “Quite simply, we could not make this happen without their lead gift.”
Commissioners on board
Commissioner John Allocco said the center would meet a need that now falls to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and emergency medical services, and would slow the growth of those first responder budgets.
“I think it’s a win-win for the community,” he said. “My concern in the long run is the funding for your program, and how does that go?”
Commissioner John Mitten said he liked the location alongside the other government buildings, and said projects like this are what keeps government from having to step in.
Chairman Jerry Campbell said the county should protect itself with a reverter clause if construction does not start on time.
County Administrator Jeff Rogers said the county built the campus to concentrate services where the need is greatest.
County Attorney Jon Jouben told the board it should reach a consensus to obtain a legal description before entering lease negotiations. Campbell then called for a motion to declare the land surplus. It was made, seconded and approved 4-0.
The Morsanis’ vision
Premier is treating the lead gift as the catalyst for a broader capital campaign, and hopes to persuade partners, businesses and residents to match it.
The Morsanis have given widely across the Tampa Bay area, Resnick said, including in Hillsborough County.
“Carol and I have always believed that quality health care should be within reach for the people who need it most,” Frank Morsani said. “We hope our lead gift will accelerate Premier’s vision for this new health center and inspire others to join the capital campaign.”
“This new health center is about neighbors caring for neighbors,” said Cheryl Pollock, Premier’s chief advancement and community engagement officer, “and ensuring that more children, families, seniors and individuals in Hernando County can receive compassionate, high-quality care closer to home.”
To learn how to get involved, email pchgcares@hcnetwork.org. More information about Premier is at PremierHC.org.