BayCare is expanding its footprint in Lakeland with a new free-standing emergency department. Scheduled to open in Winter 2026, this around-the-clock emergency department treats adults and children experiencing serious illness, injuries and medical emergencies. Our compassionate team of board-certified emergency physicians, paramedics, nurses and emergency technicians is dedicated to delivering exceptional care when minutes matter, with the same level of emergency care you can expect from a hospital-based ER.
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or visit your closest emergency room.
Designed with patient comfort, privacy and safety in mind, the emergency center features:
Serving Adults and Kids
15 treatment rooms which includes a dedicated triage room and 1 resuscitation room and two low-acuity treatment rooms for less serious conditions
Two specialized pediatric treatment rooms. A direct connection to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital provides seamless access to pediatric specialty expertise when needed.
Advanced diagnostic technology and streamlined clinical workflows enable faster evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, helping patients receive timely, high-quality emergency care.
Location and Access
5501 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33813
Expected to open: Winter 2026
Located half a mile south of Fitzgerald Drive and Schoolhouse Road, the entrance is on the right-hand side of South Florida Avenue.
Features and Services
- Emergency medical care 24/7
- Advanced diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound and CT)
- On-site laboratory services
- Respiratory therapy services
- Telehealth specialist access, including:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Critical care
- Behavioral health
- Coordination of transfer to a hospital when inpatient admission is required
- Seamless admission to BayCare hospitals for patients requiring ongoing hospital care
- Integrated care coordination across BayCare
| Situation | Urgent Care | Hospital ED or Free-Standing Hospital ED | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Simple sore throat |
$ | $$ | ||||
Minor ankle sprain |
$$ | $$$ | ||||
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