Search
Close this search box.

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.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Whatever the plan turns out to be, it needs to tie into the new Brooks bridge, increase downtown parking and allow for much more pedestrian traffic maybe even closing down...”
Respond
“The current building is an eye sore and looks more like Panama Beaches. Too tall already. Let the citizens vote on it! No!!!”
Respond
“https://www.getthecoast.com/destin-council-seeks-to-close-dangerous-us-highway-98-intersection-after-fatal-crash/ I can only imagine there will be more like this if Destin gets anymore congested.”
Respond
“I honestly wish the citizens of Destin could vote on this debacle. I bet very few if any would agree to this continued commercialization, on a ridiculous level, of what...”
Respond
“Absolutely not! We are a small city! We need more green spaces. More parks! Our city to be safe to walk, run, and ride your bike. We have enough places...”
Respond
“Infrastructures is not designed to handle any more .IE Roads! Traffic count is needed. 2 spaces per unit! Gulf power suggested the need! We in okaloosa country 1.4 per unit....”
Respond
“Not touristy at all. It’s all about cars cars carsWhen are Americans going to get back to a people environment. Cancel car culture. Trains, buses, trams, walking and cycling. Many...”
Respond
“The infrastructure " roads " cannot support the traffic! Traffic count needed.”
Respond
“Make a pedestrian under-the-bridge walkway, and clean up the north side at the bridge to make that a destination.”
Respond
“Let Legendary pay for it. They caused it.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.