Preemptive measure

Sleek and state-of-the-art, as shown in this artist’s rendering, the new Cape Canaveral Hospital promises to continue the legacy of its predecessor. HEALTH FIRST PHOTOS

Iconic hospital given new life in safer spot

For Anne Clayton-Orrison, and for many other residents in Central Brevard, Cape Canaveral Hospital holds many memories.

Memories flooded back to Anne Clayton-Orrison during the March 21 groundbreaking for the complex that will replace Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital — a place that has played a very special role throughout her life. 

“I was born at Cape Canaveral Hospital,” Clayton-Orrison said. “Even better than that, all three of my children were born there, and so was my nursing career.” She served as an oncology nurse and later as a nurse manager at Cape Canaveral, before heading to her current position as director of patient care services at Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center. “That building holds a huge piece of my heart and my own life history. It’s an icon in our community for its long-standing history, amazing views and truly unique culture.” 

Clayton-Orrison is not alone in her regard for Cape Canaveral Hospital; it has been consistently lauded since it opened in 1962.

“It was the first and only hospital to serve the beach and barrier island communities in Brevard County, at the time,” said Kent Smith, Health First board chair.

Early leaders of the hospital capital campaign and development project meet to start the business of constructing a new medical facility.

GROUNDBREAKING

The original Cape Canaveral Hospital might not have won honors for its looks, but its location in the middle of the causeway offered patients, visitors and staff sweeping water views.

The groundbreaking for the new Cape Canaveral Hospital, on Merritt Island, came two weeks after the original location was named to Newsweek’s Best Hospitals List for 2024 — the fourth straight year it was awarded the honor. Only two other hospitals in Central Florida — and 17 across the entire state — made the prestigious list this year.

“As we are planning for and making progress toward the future of our new Cape Canaveral Hospital, this honor is reflective of Health First and Cape’s commitment to providing the best wellness and medical care for our residents and visitors today and well into the future,” said Brett Esrock, then executive vice president and CFO/COO at Health First. 

The hospital, which provides more than 50 medical specialties, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and also holds Primary Stroke Center certification from the nonprofit body responsible for the accreditation of 22,000 health care organizations and programs. It received a 5-star rating — the highest possible — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It continues to be the sole hospital to serve the beach and barrier island communities of Central Brevard. 

In 1962, a large number of residents eagerly flocked to tour the new hospital and join in the dedication ceremony.

SAFETY FIRST

While Cape Canaveral Hospital’s current location is undeniably picturesque, it has also rendered it vulnerable to storms.

Cape Canaveral’s location smack in the middle of the West Cocoa Beach Causeway gives patients, visitors and staff outstandingly scenic views not usually found in a medical facility. But the hospital’s picturesque site proved to be the building’s undoing. Its vulnerability to storms and natural disasters figured prominently in the decision to move the facility four miles due west to its eventual new address at 255 Borman Drive in Merritt Island. The 14-acre site was formerly occupied by the Merritt Island Pro-Health and Fitness Center, near Merritt Square Mall. 

An aging infrastructure sealed the fate of the old hospital. The view from the new building won’t be as awesome, but the new facility will build upon the legacy of its predecessor. Even the name will retain the connection.

“The reason for the name — Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital on Merritt Island — is that Cape Canaveral Hospital has a great amount of cultural, historical and community equity in Brevard County,” said Bobby Ampezzan, external communications lead at Health First. “The new name honors that and protects a lineage that is important and shouldn’t be lost.” 

Cape Canaveral Hospital quickly became the place many expectant mothers elected to deliver both because it quickly built a lasting reputation for a high level of obstetric care, and no doubt because of the views.

With an estimated opening in early 2027, the new $410 million hospital will incorporate the latest trends in patient-centered healthcare design, as well as a deeply rooted ability to withstand serious weather. It will be built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane without compromising the continuum of care. The entire campus will be constructed 13 feet above sea level to withstand storm surge. It will be served by an on-site, central energy plant that will ensure continuous power, even during tropical storms and hurricanes. 

“This project has been in the works for a long time,” Smith added. “It truly speaks to Health First’s vision, mission and strategy to set our community up for success — today and beyond.”

The new five-story, 268,000-square-foot Cape Canaveral Hospital will have 120 private inpatient beds, 25 emergency department treatment rooms and six operating rooms. The campus will include a three-story, 92,000-square-foot medical office building. A three-deck parking structure with 533 parking spots, plus an additional 296 paved surface parking spots, will make access easy. Landscaping will provide green space, a half-mile walking trail and other connections to nature. The Lawrence Group was tasked with the design of the complex. The firm, which has offices in New York, St. Louis, Austin and Rockledge, has been named a Top 40 Healthcare Giant by Interior Design magazine, and one of the top 300 architectural firms in the nation by Architectural Record.

Groundbreaking ceremonies earlier this year marked a new chapter in the history of Cape Canaveral Hospital. The official groundbreaking for the new facility on Merritt Island signaled the beginning of a new chapter for the much-lauded medical facility.