By Tamas Mondovics
The much anticipated groundbreaking ceremony had to be postponed for later this spring due to inclement weather, but construction has indeed commenced as planned on Tampa General Hospital’s (TGH) first outpatient medical center in Brandon. Scheduled to open in early 2017, the estimated $60 million Brandon Healthplex will stand four stories tall with more than 130,000 sq. ft. of comprehensive ambulatory healthcare space, bringing plenty of new jobs to the Brandon community.
According to hospital officials, the nearly 15-acre property at 10740 Palm River Rd. was chosen for its convenient and easily accessible location at the corner of S. Falkenburg Road and Palm River Road, adjacent to Top Golf and Bass Pro Shops.
Hospital public relations director John Dunn emphasized that as TGH’s first outpatient medical center, patients will be able to obtain a variety of outpatient medical services all in one building.
“The building will contain a number of health care services, including a freestanding adult and pediatric emergency department, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, an ambulatory surgery center, physician offices to cover primary as well as specialty care, and physical therapy,” Dunn said.
The project will also make room for a helipad, while the building will have a surface parking lot and offer valet parking for its patients’ convenience.
Dunn added that one of the strategic initiatives is to expand outpatient care off Davis Island—the location of TGH’s 1,018-bed, level one trauma center, children’s medical center and heart transplant center and teaching hospital in downtown Tampa—and to bring the care to the communities its patients reside in.
“The Brandon Healthplex helps achieve this goal by providing easy and convenient ambulatory care to the Brandon community,” he said. “Patients will now be able to obtain TGH’s outpatient medical services without having to travel to Davis Island.”
Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Services Mark Anderson agreed with the potential benefits of the new facility when he said, “The Brandon Healthplex will provide accessible, convenient, cost effective, and comprehensive medical services in one location for Brandon residents. We intend to provide the best of the TGH’s services and expertise to the Brandon community.”
For more information about Brandon Healthplex and Tampa General Hospital, visit www.tgh.org.
