September 23, 2026 – HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital has broken ground on a $21 million expansion of its emergency room, marking a significant investment in the future of emergency care for Okeechobee County. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The expansion will add approximately 6,000 square feet and increase the ER from 14 to 25 beds, including two trauma beds and two behavioral health beds. The project will also include an expanded waiting area for patients and families and an enlarged colleague breakroom.
“Thinking forward means preparing today for the healthcare needs of tomorrow,” said Alex Masmela, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital. “This investment reflects our commitment to growing alongside Okeechobee and ensuring our community has access to timely, high-quality emergency care close to home. We are excited to break ground on a project that will strengthen our ability to care for patients for years to come.”
HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital’s emergency room cared for more than 30,000 patients in both 2024 and 2025. The expansion is designed to increase capacity, improve patient flow and support the hospital’s collaboration with local EMS, ambulance and air medical teams.
Once completed, the expanded ER is also expected to create a need for additional physicians, nurses and support personnel, further strengthening the hospital’s ability to serve the growing healthcare needs of Okeechobee and surrounding communities.
HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital provides 24/7 emergency services and remains a critical access point for residents and visitors throughout Okeechobee County.
About HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital
Serving Okeechobee County since 1979, HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital is a 100-bed full-service acute care hospital. Specializing in emergency services, minimally-invasive surgery, hip and knee replacement, urology, gastroenterology services, mammography services and occupational, physical and speech therapy, we provide high-quality patient care to Okeechobee residents and the surrounding communities. We hold the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Primary Stroke Center Certification and Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for nine years in a row (2026-2018). Within minutes of FL-710, the hospital’s 24-hour emergency room provides specialized hospital services for adults and children of all ages.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
