Business

HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital breaks ground on $19 million freestanding ER in DeFuniak Springs

HCA Florida Healthcare began construction on the 11,000 square-foot facility that will serve Walton County and nearby communities with 24/7 emergency care.

Jared Williams

From L to R: Jeremy Cottle, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Becky Crites, Emergency Room Manager, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Mark Day, CFO, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Todd Jackson, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Morgan Talley, CNO, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Kate Jennings, Emergency Room Director, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Mayor Dan Hinkle, Board of Trustees, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Gail Miceli, Board of Trustees, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. (Contributed)

HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for its new $19 million emergency room in DeFuniak Springs, kicking off the start of construction on a facility designed to bring emergency medical services closer to North Walton County residents.

The 11,000 square-foot HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency is slated to open in early 2026 at 160 Twin Springs Way, near Interstate 10. The facility will operate as a 24/7 full-service emergency room staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals.

“We are pleased to be part of HCA Florida Healthcare’s continued expansion in communities throughout the Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa County area,” said Todd Jackson, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. “HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency will be able to offer high-quality, expeditious emergency care around the clock by board certified physicians close to families’ homes and work.”

The freestanding emergency room will feature 10 emergency exam rooms and include CT scan, digital X-ray, ultrasound and on-site laboratory services. The facility will be capable of caring for patients of all ages, including children, and will treat families with acute injuries and illnesses every day of the year.

HCA Florida Healthcare announced the project will employ approximately 35 full-time healthcare professionals when operational.

The hospital system first announced plans for the DeFuniak Springs emergency room in March 2024, citing a significant number of patients from the DeFuniak and Freeport areas who had been traveling to the Twin Cities Hospital facility in Niceville for emergency care.

The project is part of HCA Florida Healthcare’s continued expansion to serve the growing North Florida community.

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