Construction begins on a new emergency department in Fruitland Park

AdventHealth breaks ground on city’s first ER, bringing 24/7 care to residents

Published date: June 09, 2025 |

Estimated read time: 2 minutes |

Authored by:

Robert Channell

Topics:

Care Community

AdventHealth Waterman breaks ground on Fruitland Park emergency department — Pictured left to right: Lorenzo Brown, Regional President and CEO of AdventHealth North Lake, Sumter, West Volusia Counties; Andrii Korchuk, AdventHealth Waterman Chief Financial Officer; Anita Young, AdventHealth Waterman Chief Operating Officer; Dr. Lundyn Fries, AdventHealth Waterman Emergency Department Assistant Medical Director; Fruitland Park City Manager Karen Manila; Fruitland Park City Commissioner Joseph J. Cosenza III; Fruitland Park Mayor Chris Cheshire; Abel Biri, AdventHealth Waterman President and CEO; Fruitland Park Vice Mayor Pat DeGrave; Community Development Director for the City of Fruitland Park Michael Rankin; Lisa Bowman, AdventHealth Waterman Chief Nursing Officer; Rob Deininger, AdventHealth East Florida Division Executive Vice President andCEO; and Dr. Floriano Putigna, AdventHealth Waterman Chief Medical Officer.

Fruitland Park reached a new milestone today as community leaders, physicians, and neighbors gathered to break ground on the city’s first emergency room, marking the beginning of a new chapter in local health care.

The freestanding ER represents a $20 million investment by AdventHealth and will bring around-the-clock emergency care to one of the region’s fastest-growing areas.

Located on a 27-acre site at the intersection of County Road 466A and Colony Boulevard, the 14,000-square-foot facility will feature 12 private patient rooms, advanced imaging (CT, X-ray, ultrasound), respiratory therapy, lab services, and a team of board-certified emergency physicians and nurses – ready to deliver fast, expert care when every second counts.

“No one plans for an emergency, but when it happens, timing is everything,” said Abel Biri, president and CEO of AdventHealth Waterman. “This ER means families in Fruitland Park won’t have to travel far to get the care they need – day or night.”

That need is real and growing. In recent years, more than 2,500 emergency visits to AdventHealth Waterman have come from Fruitland Park residents.

Expected to open in early 2026, the new ER will create 40 full-time jobs – and it’s only the beginning.

“This ER is an important first step, but it’s part of a bigger vision,” add Biri. “We chose this site with the future in mind. As the needs of Fruitland Park evolve, we’ll have the room to grow too.”

That commitment to growth is a core priority for AdventHealth. In 2023, the organization contributed more than $16 billion to Florida’s economy and supported over 113,000 direct and indirect jobs. With 94% of its expenditures staying in the state, AdventHealth’s impact stretches far beyond hospital walls – fueling jobs, supporting local businesses, and strengthening access to care.

“Every facility we build is about more than beds and equipment,” Biri said. “It’s about investing in the long-term health and safety of the communities we call home.”