HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has unveiled plans for a nearly $200 million investment to significantly expand its surgical services and hospital capacity.
According to a statement issued by the organization on Friday, April 10, the project will add 470,423 square feet to the hospital system. The centerpiece of the expansion is a new multi-story patient tower that will add 62 private care rooms, bringing the total capacity of the hospital system to 647 beds.
Construction on the expansion is scheduled to begin later this year. The hospital expects the completed project to create more than 70 new healthcare positions, along with various support roles.
The new tower is designed for long-term growth, with the infrastructure to eventually accommodate up to seven total floors to serve the community as needs evolve. Immediate plans for the tower include a new 16-bed intensive care unit (ICU), which will push the hospital system’s total to more than 100 ICU beds, as well as two 26-bed medical/surgical/telemetry units and a central utility plant to serve the new facility.
In addition to the patient tower, the hospital will undergo a significant renovation and expansion of its surgical department.
This phase of the project includes the construction of new operating rooms, shell space for future surgical suites to support long-term growth, and the relocation and expansion of the vascular lab and procedural areas, according to the organization.
There are also plans to develop new pre- and post-operative recovery spaces and upgrade clinical infrastructure and support areas to improve overall patient flow.
To accommodate the increase in patients and staff, a new multi-story parking garage with 806 parking spots will be built on the campus.
“This expansion represents a major milestone for HCA Florida Ocala Hospital as we continue to grow alongside our community,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “By investing in additional capacity, advanced surgical capabilities and modern infrastructure, we are ensuring that patients have access to the care they need—when and where they need it.”
The hospital, which serves as a teaching facility in partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine, recently matched 65 new residents who will begin their programs in July 2026. This will bring the total number of residents and fellows in the system to 181 for the upcoming academic year.
The $200 million project is the latest in a series of expansions for HCA Florida Healthcare in the region.
Recent initiatives include the addition of 40 inpatient rooms and 52 jobs at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, as well as the ongoing development of another freestanding emergency room in Ocala, which is slated to open in 2027.
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