BayCare will break ground next year on a 12,000-square-foot freestanding emergency facility on U.S. 27 in Davenport.
BayCare bought the property at the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 27 and Ridgewood Lakes Boulevard in September for $11.5 million. The emergency center will feature 14 beds (12 rooms and 2 fast-track beds) and is expected to serve approximately 15,000 patients annually. It has a flexible design that allows for future expansion as demand increases.
BayCare conducted a thorough assessment of community needs and market dynamics to select this site, which is a half-mile north of AdventHealth’s Heart of Florida Hospital.
“Polk County is among the fastest-growing regions in Florida, with significant population increases and new housing developments underway,” said Todd Jones, BayCare’s chief strategy officer and chief ambulatory services officer. “By establishing a facility here, BayCare ensures timely access to high-quality, compassionate care for a rapidly expanding and diverse population.”
Polk County’s population growth is expected to increase by 11% from 2026-3031. More specifically, the Northeast Polk area is expected to grow by over 13% by 2031.
“This growth is fueling the demand for access to high-quality, convenient emergency care services,” Jones said. “BayCare is committed to serving the needs of this growing community, and a freestanding emergency department conveniently located in the growing area of Davenport/NE Polk County will provide enhanced access to high-quality and efficient emergency care services serving both adults and pediatric patients.”
Patients visiting the facility will have access to diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, hospital transfers (if hospital admission is necessary for a particular medical condition) and integrated patient admission to a BayCare hospital. The Davenport freestanding ED will have its primary affiliation with Winter Haven Hospital. The site will serve patients of all ages, including pediatric patients, as the facility will also have a direct connection to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa.
“Our board-certified emergency medicine physicians are equipped to treat patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. The facility will offer telehealth access to critical and pediatric specialists,” Jones said. “We will also have dedicated pediatric rooms and specialized team training, ensuring expert care addressing specific pediatric needs in the area.”
BayCareER will create over 60 new jobs, offering 24/7 emergency care staffed by a board-certified emergency medicine physician, a nursing team, and a range of support personnel, including laboratory and imaging technologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacy staff, registration and security personnel, and paramedics. This diverse team ensures that patients receive comprehensive emergency services at any hour, Jones said.
The facility will include sustainability and energy-efficient features.
“This new freestanding emergency department in Davenport is committed to sustainable healthcare construction by exceeding Florida’s Energy Conservation Code standards,” Jones said. “The facility features advanced insulation, energy-efficient windows and a reflective roof to minimize heat gain. Inside, high-efficiency HVAC systems with smart controls and LED lighting reduce energy use, while infrastructure for future electric vehicle charging stations highlights BayCare’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.”
BayCare was formed in 1997 by a core group of local hospitals determined to continue providing not-for-profit health care while improving overall health in communities.
BayCare’s Davenport facility will be its first in the Orlando market. The company previously announced plans for freestanding EDs in the Tampa Bay region and in Lakeland.
“BayCare continuously evaluates community needs and market opportunities. Polk County remains an area of strategic interest, with ongoing assessments of potential sites and partnerships,” Jones said. “The organization is committed to expanding access wherever there is demonstrated need and will entertain future projects as population growth and health care demands evolve.”
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