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Twin Cities Hospital announces new $19 million Freestanding ER in DeFuniak Springs

CEO Todd Jackson of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, FL, announced on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the plan to build a new freestanding emergency room in DeFuniak Springs. The hospital purchased a nine-acre parcel of property at the southeast corner of Highway 331 and Interstate-10 in DeFuniak Springs, which was part of a […]

CEO Todd Jackson of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, FL, announced on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the plan to build a new freestanding emergency room in DeFuniak Springs.

  • The $19 million project aims to bring top-quality healthcare services closer to home for residents of North Walton County.

The hospital purchased a nine-acre parcel of property at the southeast corner of Highway 331 and Interstate-10 in DeFuniak Springs, which was part of a larger 95-acre parcel acquired by CEFCO.

Jackson said that CEFCO is currently developing the infrastructure necessary to support commercial businesses on the land that was previously farmland.

The 11,000-square-foot freestanding ER will feature 12 treatment rooms, including a dedicated trauma room equipped with resuscitative equipment and surgical capabilities. The facility will also have a full suite of services, such as CAT scan, x-ray, laboratory, and pharmacy, to support the needs of emergency medicine patients. 

  • A dedicated entrance for EMS will be available for ambulances delivering patients to the facility.

“We’re extremely excited to bring the top quality health care services closer to home for residents of North Walton County,” said Jackson. “For years, they have traveled over to our facility in Niceville and we look forward to bringing that health care closer to home for them.”

The hospital has been planning and developing a strategy for North Walton County over the last two to three years, as they have seen a significant number of patients from the DeFuniak and Freeport areas. 

  • The decision to build a freestanding ER in DeFuniak was based on data analysis and the need to have a physical presence in the community, according to Jackson.

The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete, with the goal of seeing their first patients in the third or fourth quarter of 2025. The freestanding ER will be designed in a way that allows for the potential addition of an inpatient hospital in the future, depending on the evolving needs of the community. Jackson said that as of now, that is currently not part of the current plan.

“It’s a really big deal for us at Twin Cities Hospital, and we’re looking forward to being in North Walton County,” he added.

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Community Comments

“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
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“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
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“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
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“I remember both Kathy & Lee from their work with the church youth program. Despite being a Catholic "yankee" visiting each summer I have never found a more welcoming place...”
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“Hey Lee. I am so glad Danny sent this article to all the Szarowicz siblings! Congratulations on an amazing career!!! Wish I had been there to witness it. I remember...”
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“Congratulations, Lee, and the very best wishes to you and Cathy during your retirement years. A heartfelt thank you on behalf of my Bolton family for your attention and care....”
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“There is no public parking…note from article, “The beach bar is accessible only to Sandpiper Cove residents and guests, along with people walking up from the beach.” Walk in from...”
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“This should NOT BE ALLOWED in single family residential neighborhoods.”
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“It's amazing that the State of Florida can come up with money to purchase 2483 acres for a new park. But Caladesi Island State Park, Cayo Costa State Park and...”
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“What a beautiful story of past, present, and future. Lee, you have left an amazing legacy. These words from Matthew 25:21 are fitting for you, ‘Well done, good and faithful...”
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