Viera, FL — September 2, 2025 — Health First has unveiled a sweeping master plan to expand Viera Hospital, a project that will double its licensed capacity to 214 beds and significantly enhance emergency and specialty care services for Central Brevard County.
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The Health First Board of Directors officially approved the development of the plan, which is designed to address the region’s rapid population growth and the increased demand for accessible, specialized healthcare.
Expansion Details
The multi-phase plan will bring a host of upgrades to the hospital’s existing campus, including:
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64 new inpatient beds
2 new operating rooms
1 cardiac catheterization lab
Doubled emergency department capacity
10-bed Clinical Decision Unit (CDU)
Expanded imaging and support facilities
Shelled space for up to 32 more inpatient beds, two additional operating rooms, and another catheterization lab
Construction on the first inpatient unit is expected to be completed by spring 2026, adding at least 20 beds immediately, including four dedicated to women’s health and maternity care.
Meeting Community Needs
Health First President and CEO Terry Forde emphasized that the expansion reflects both long-term planning and recent healthcare shifts.
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“Long before Viera Hospital opened in 2011, Health First was engaged with local leaders to anticipate the community’s growth,” said Forde. “The recent closure of Orlando Health’s Rockledge Hospital allows us to accelerate those plans, ensuring Central Brevard residents continue to have timely access to exceptional care”.
Mike Mullowney, president of Health First’s Hospital Division, noted that easing pressure on the emergency department is a top priority. “We’ve been waiting for the right time and purpose for this space, and now we’re moving forward with construction to add at least 20 inpatient beds,” Mullowney said.
Specialty Care on the Rise
In addition to bed capacity, Viera Hospital is expanding its specialty services:
Women’s Health: Four new beds will support the booming Mother/Baby program, which has already seen a 30% increase in deliveries since opening in 2024. A 24/7 OB Hospitalist Program, launched in July, will ensure round-the-clock obstetric emergency care.
Surgical Services: Two new operating rooms will expand the hospital’s surgical capacity to eight by late 2025.
Cardiac Care: Advanced electrophysiology procedures for heart rhythm disorders will begin this September, marking a major step forward in local cardiac care.
Gastroenterology: A new endoscopy suite opened in July, featuring three procedure rooms for elective and inpatient GI procedures.
Imaging: A state-of-the-art CT scanner will be installed at the nearby Viera Medical Plaza by March 2026, boosting outpatient access and emergency imaging availability.
Part of a Countywide Growth Strategy
The Viera project is one piece of a broader Health First expansion across Brevard County. Additional projects include a five-floor patient tower at Palm Bay Hospital (adding 60 beds by 2028), a replacement Cape Canaveral Hospital scheduled to open in 2027, and new freestanding emergency rooms in Rockledge and Palm Bay.
Viera Hospital recently earned its third consecutive 5-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), making it the only hospital in Brevard County to achieve the distinction in 2025.
“This master plan ensures we can thoughtfully and responsibly prepare for our community’s healthcare needs,” said Forde. “We are deeply grateful to the physicians, nurses, and partners who make Viera Hospital an exceptional place of care”
