JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Shands Jacksonville announced plans today to develop a new medical campus on Jacksonville's Northside. Shands Jacksonville North will expand the role of Shands HealthCare as a leader in providing for the region's future healthcare needs. Proposed services include primary care, diagnostic and ambulatory services, and a variety of other medical specialties. Shands Jacksonville North will also have the long-term potential for the addition of inpatient hospital beds.
The Shands Jacksonville North expansion, located at the northeast corner of I-95 and Duval Road, will occur in multiple phases. Phase I will consist of a medical office building and diagnostic services. Phase II will expand patient care offerings for ancillary services, such as advanced imaging and outpatient surgery.
"Shands Jacksonville is proud to lead the way in providing better patient care to the city's Northside," said Tim Goldfarb, CEO of Shands HealthCare. "Patients seeking medical services in this rapidly growing area on the First Coast will have high-quality healthcare in a convenient outpatient setting, which they have long needed."
The new medical campus will be part of a wave of growth and development in north Jacksonville, which has been targeted by a number of local and regional developers. Many large housing developments in the area have been announced or are already underway, leading to increased demand for superior healthcare close to homes and businesses. As the Northside continues to expand, future phases of Shands Jacksonville North will include the consideration of up to 300 additional inpatient beds.
The development of Shands Jacksonville North will add to existing services at the hospital's 8th Street campus, creating many new jobs for the region and enhancing northeast Florida's already strong reputation as a dominant hub for medical care and clinical research. Shands Jacksonville has invested $9.5 million for the purchase of the 70-acre parcel.
"University of Florida faculty physicians provide a unique mix of academic services in the region," said Bernie Machen, President, University of Florida. "As an academic medical center, and the city's largest acute-care hospital, Shands Jacksonville North will lead efforts to provide additional access to unparalleled healthcare in this growing community."
"We are thrilled to be part of the growth on Jacksonville's Northside and to meet the need for quality healthcare," said Jim Burkhart, President and Administrator, Shands Jacksonville. "Serving all segments of our community is at the core of our mission, and Shands Jacksonville North is a true reflection of that commitment."