Lakeland Gets Its First New Hospital in Over a Century as Orlando Health Watson Clinic Opens July 8

Lakeland will open its first new hospital in more than 100 years on July 8, 2026, when the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital begins seeing patients at 4000 Lakeland Highlands Road — giving south Lakeland families a second local option for emergency, maternity, and advanced stroke and heart care, and bringing more than 1,500 permanent jobs to the community. According to LkldNow, the opening follows more than six years of planning and construction.

The seven-story facility spans more than 550,000 square feet and will begin operations with over 300 inpatient beds — unusually large for a hospital opening its doors — as officials brace for demand from Polk County's fast-growing population, FOX 13 reported after touring the building ahead of opening day.

Why this matters for Lakeland families

For years, patients needing advanced treatment for a stroke or a serious heart event had one option in the city: Lakeland Regional. Hospital officials say the new facility changes that by becoming a second site capable of those complex procedures.

"I think there's a lot of patients that have moved to this area, and right now, we only have Lakeland Regional to do these types of procedures," neurosurgeon Dr. Shane Burke told LkldNow, describing the addition as a significant benefit for the city and the county.

The new hospital's interventional radiology suite will treat stroke patients using a Siemens Healthineers ARTIS icono.vision biplane scanner — described as the first of its kind in the area — while two heart catheterization labs are equipped with Philips Azurion 7 scanners for diagnostic heart procedures, stents, and structural work, according to physicians who spoke at the June 25 media preview.

A new place to have a baby

A large share of the building is devoted to expectant mothers and newborns through its Center for Women and Babies. Officials say the design keeps mother and baby together and comfortable throughout the stay.

The birthing suites are designed so patients can labor, deliver, and recover in the same room, OB-GYN Dr. Samantha Curtis explained at the preview. A Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is scheduled to open this fall; NICU staff will be on hand when the hospital opens its doors.

An economic engine for the region

City Commissioner Guy LaLonde Jr. described the project as an economic driver that was creating jobs long before it opened. Nearly 700 construction jobs were tied to the site, and officials say more than 1,500 permanent positions are coming to the community — many of those employees already in training locally ahead of the opening.

Orlando Health has invested more than $500 million in the effort, which FOX 13 reported represents one of the largest capital investments in Polk County in a quarter century. The hospital was also built with future growth in mind, leaving room for an additional tower down the road, chief administrative officer Matthew Woodrow said at the preview.

What comes next

Beyond the main campus, a freestanding emergency department is under construction in North Lakeland and is scheduled to open in October, extending access on the city's other side, according to FOX 13.

For more on this and other health and growth stories, visit Lakeland Community Website and read more healthcare and business and development coverage from around the city. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and join the conversation in our Community Forum — we'd love to hear what this new hospital means for your family.