- AdventHealth
The construction of the new four-story tower at Florida Hospital Waterman is progressing as planned, and the hospital has reached an important milestone, its topping out. A time-honored construction-site tradition, the topping out ceremony celebrates the placement of a building's highest structural element.
To celebrate this milestone, members of the community will have the opportunity, on Aug. 21-22, to visit the medical office building on the Tavares campus to sign the tower's highest structural element ' the top beam, which will soon be installed.
Construction on this project began in July 2017 and is scheduled to be completed by July 2019. The main contractor is Robins & Morton of Orlando.
This expansion will add more than 111,000 square feet of patient care space to the hospital, including expanding the emergency department to 58 beds and adding a 24-bed women and children's unit on the second floor of the tower. Floors three and four will be shelled for future growth, and the structure will support an additional expansion, up to six floors.
'The expansion and renovation of the emergency department and new patient tower mark the single largest investment in a Lake County health care facility since Florida Hospital Waterman's Tavares campus was completed in 2003,' said David Ottati, CEO of Adventist Health System's Central Florida Division - North Region, which includes Florida Hospital Waterman. 'This is a substantial investment in our community and helps further our mission of providing whole-person, faith-based care.
''We have experienced substantial growth in our emergency department over the past several years,' said Abel Biri, Florida Hospital Waterman CEO. 'As our community continues to grow, and more Lake County residents choose us for their care, we must expand to meet that demand. The expansion will help ensure we are well-positioned to provide the efficient, high-quality and compassionate care our community expects and deserves.'
Recent News
Expanding care close to home: What’s ahead for Flagler County hospitals
More than 70 business leaders, clinicians, elected officials and nonprofit partners gathered Thursday for Flagler County’s annual State of the Hospitals address.
Closer care for the tiniest patients: AdventHealth Ocala advances what a rural Level II NICU can do
Advanced NICU care in Ocala keeps fragile newborns close to home—and families together when it matters most.
From silence to support: How one man’s mental health journey is helping others find healing
Johnny Crowder’s story inspires a text-based mental health solution now reaching the Tampa Bay community, supported by AdventHealth.
3 AdventHealth hospitals recognized for delivering safe, high-quality care in Flagler, Volusia counties
Three AdventHealth hospitals received five-star overall hospital quality ratings, the highest possible score from CMS, and are the only hospitals in Flagler and Volusia counties to earn that...
Married AdventHealth nurses earn bachelor’s degrees together while caring for patients
Through a partnership with Lake-Sumter State College, the couple advanced their training without stepping away from the bedside.
What 26.2 miles taught one longtime nurse about caring for patients
AdventHealth Daytona Beach nurse Julius Dayandante says marathon running and nursing require many of the same qualities: patience, discipline and endurance.
Worried about his dog, a DeLand patient finds unexpected help from hospital nurses
Even as Ted DeGuzman struggled to breathe, his mind kept coming back to one thing: Luna.
AdventHealth brings steadier care to patients by reducing nurse turnover
Nursing turnover across the East Florida Division dropped from 16.4% to 12.3% in 2025 as hospitals strengthened support and expanded opportunities for nurses.
At the bedside, an ICU nurse carries lessons from home
While caring for her father through serious illness, ICU nurse Kaleigh Hulsman learned lessons in compassion she now brings to patients.
Palm Coast nurse earns national emergency certification to strengthen patient care
Support from local foundation helps AdventHealth nurse advance skills for high-pressure moments.
Mother, daughter pursue nursing careers through education partnership
Family story highlights how AdventHealth’s dynamic learning community helps shape the next generation of nurses.
Amid rapid population growth, AdventHealth plans a new hospital in The Villages to bring care closer to residents
The project is expected to expand access to emergency and hospital services in one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions.