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Rockledge, FL – The impending closure of Rockledge Regional Medical Center on April 22, 2025, is sending shockwaves through Brevard County, raising concerns over job losses, economic fallout, and healthcare access. The hospital, a 298-bed acute care facility, was recently acquired by Orlando Health following the bankruptcy of Steward Health. However, instead of revitalizing the long-standing community institution, Orlando Health has announced its permanent shutdown—leaving 940 employees without jobs and thousands of patients without essential healthcare services. Orlando Health plans to demolish the old building, sell off the land, and evaluate its other properties for future healthcare projects. 

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A Change.org petition titled “Prevent the Shutdown of Rockledge Hospital in Brevard County” is rapidly gaining traction, as concerned residents and healthcare professionals voice their outrage over the devastating impact this decision will have on workers, businesses, and patient safety.

Economic Fallout: 940 Jobs at Risk

The closure of Rockledge Hospital will eliminate 940 jobs, delivering a major blow to Brevard County’s economy. According to regional healthcare wage data, employees earn an estimated $75,000 to $89,000 annually, meaning a direct salary loss of $70.5 million to $83.7 million per year.

Metric	Value (Low Estimate, $75,000 Avg)	Value (High Estimate, $89,000 Avg)
Number of Jobs Lost	940	940
Average Salary per Employee	$75,000	$89,000
Total Direct Salary Loss	$70,500,000	$83,660,000
Multiplier Effect (Range)	1.5 to 2	1.5 to 2
Total Economic Impact (Range)	$105,750,000 to $141,000,000	$125,490,000 to $167,320,000
Rounded Economic Impact	$106 million to $141 million	$125 million to $167 million

When factoring in a multiplier effect—which accounts for reduced spending in retail, housing, and services—the total economic impact could range between $106 million to $167 million annually. Given Brevard’s $20 billion GDP, this loss will further strain local businesses and families, particularly in areas already dependent on healthcare and aerospace industries.

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A leaked internal document confirms that the hospital’s closure is final, with all jobs being permanently eliminated. The document, issued by Orlando Health’s Human Resources department, offers no severance plan and no job transfer guarantees, leaving hundreds of employees scrambling for answers.

Screenshots of internal communications from Rockledge Hospital employees reveal growing frustration. Staff members report not receiving their 2023 W-2 tax documents—an issue stemming from Steward Health’s bankruptcy mismanagement. Despite Orlando Health’s takeover, many employees still have not received W-2 forms for their final months working under Steward, leading to tax filing delays and financial uncertainty.

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“Usually, our W-2s are accessible online, but now we have no access,” an employee wrote. “Leadership has no answers, and we are left wondering when we will get them.” Another frustrated doctor reportedly called Steward HR and was told the forms were mailed on January 31—but staff doubt this is true.

This failure in payroll administration has left hundreds of workers in limbo, with many considering legal action.

Healthcare Access Crisis

Beyond the economic toll, the closure of Rockledge Hospital will leave thousands of patients without access to emergency and specialty care.

For over 80 years, Rockledge Hospital has served central Brevard County—providing essential emergency care, cardiac treatment, and surgical services. With its closure, patients will now have to travel farther to receive urgent medical attention.

The nearest alternative hospitals include:

• Viera Hospital (Health First) – 10 miles away
• Melbourne Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health) – 15 miles away
• Cape Canaveral Hospital (Health First) – 16 miles away

These distances pose a critical risk for elderly patients, low-income residents, and individuals facing medical emergencies. Longer ambulance response times and delayed emergency treatment could lead to worsened patient outcomes, or even death.

The petition argues that delayed emergency care “can be the difference between life and death.”

Residents on social media have described Orlando Health’s sudden decision to shutter the facility as an abandonment of central Brevard, with some questioning the true financial motives behind the move.

Despite promises that Orlando Health will eventually build a replacement hospital in Brevard, no location or timeline has been provided. Similarly, Health First has announced plans for new emergency departments by 2027, but these won’t fully replace the services lost at Rockledge Hospital.

Growing Opposition to the Closure

Public outrage over the closure is rapidly intensifying, with local leaders, hospital staff, and residents urging Orlando Health to reconsider the decision or provide immediate alternatives.

• Rockledge Mayor Tom Price has voiced concerns, warning that Brevard’s healthcare system will be severely strained by the loss of a central medical facility.
• Local businesses fear the economic ripple effects, as hospital workers losing their jobs will spend less in the community, affecting restaurants, retailers, and real estate markets.
• Healthcare professionals are calling the decision irresponsible, given that no immediate plan exists to replace the lost medical services.

The Change.org petition has gathered hundreds of signatures from concerned residents, demanding Orlando Health delay the closure or ensure a new facility opens before Rockledge Hospital shuts down.

Some have also called for local government intervention, urging Brevard County commissioners and state lawmakers to explore legal options that might force Orlando Health to maintain operations until a replacement facility is functional.

What’s Next for Brevard County?

The closure of Rockledge Hospital represents a turning point for Brevard County—both economically and in healthcare access.

• The economic impact will be severe, with nearly $167 million in annual financial losses and 940 jobs permanently eliminated.
• Healthcare access will worsen, as longer travel distances and overcrowded hospitals put lives at risk.
• Orlando Health’s lack of a concrete replacement plan leaves the community in limbo.

As of February 26, 2025, the petition continues to gain signatures, signaling growing resistance to the closure. Whether public pressure, legal action, or alternative funding solutions will prevent the shutdown remains to be seen.

However, one thing is clear: the stakes for Brevard County have never been higher.

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