Lake Nona’s newest hospital is a community game-changer
As a Lake Nona resident and CEO of the all-new UCF Lake Nona Hospital, Wendy Brandon is excited about the future of medicine in Lake Nona. The community’s first full-service hospital is opening in early March 2021 adding specialized care for adults to the world-class services already available in Medical City joining the Orlando VA Medical Center and Nemours Children’s Hospital.
More than a hospital, the new facility adjacent to the UCF College of Medicine will provide unique educational opportunities, comprehensive medical specialties, 24-hour emergency services, a healthy cafe open to the community, and more.
“The opening of UCF Lake Nona Hospital will provide a closer option for adult patients in our community in Orange and Osceola counties who currently have to travel much farther for hospital care,” Brandon said.
In her role, Brandon is part of something few people in the medical industry have the opportunity to do – build a hospital from the ground up. UCF Lake Nona Hospital has already recruited its leadership team and is now hiring managers, supervisors, charge nurses, clinicians, and support staff who will help provide exceptional care and service.
“It’s a great honor to have been selected for this role and as exciting as it has been to create the facility, the most gratifying work starts now – building our team who will take care of our community. It will be a real dream come true for me when we open and start taking care of patients,” Brandon said.
A variety of specialists will be available at UCF Lake Nona Hospital including internists and general surgeons, as well as subspecialties in gynecology, obstetrics, oncology, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, spinal care and cardiology.
The hospital is well on its way to creating a hub for physicians in Lake Nona where they can practice full-time and collaborate with academics. Third- and fourth-year students at the UCF College of Medicine will also have the opportunity to learn from experts at the hospital during rotations with various specialists.
If you drive past the UCF Lake Nona Hospital campus today, you’ll see a beautiful building that appears to be almost ready for its first patients. Although empty now, it will soon come to life – and the heartbeat? Brandon confirmed, that will be the mission-focused team who are above all else, committed to the care and improvement of human life.
Visit ucflakenonamedicalcenter.com to learn more about the hospital and available career opportunities.