The Board of Commissioners of the Health Care District recently voted unanimously for “Lakeside Medical Center” to be the name for the new 70-private bed hospital in western Palm Beach County that is on track for completion in the fall of 2009.

“This name captures what this new hospital is all about—a modern medical facility that has been strategically situated to serve all the communities which hug the southeastern shores of Lake Okeechobee,” said Board Chair Jonathan R. Satter.

View of Lakeside Medical Center and its surrounding campus under construction, November 2008. Photo credit: John Ricksen Photography.

Board of Glades General Hospital and Health Care District executives during tour of the construction site of Lakeside Medical Center: (l-r) Dr. Ron Wiewora, Interim Hospital Administrator and Chief Medical Officer, Health Care District; L. Neil Fogel; Dr. James T. Howell; Dr. Effie C. Grear, Board Secretary; Bryan Cross, Board Chair; Dr. Donald Fliehs, Board Vice Chair; Dr. Rahat Abbas; John Lacy; and Dwight D. Chenette, Health Care District Chief Executive Officer. Photo credit: John Ricksen Photography

The Health Care District designed Lakeside Medical Center with the comfort, privacy, and safety of patients, their families, and visitors in mind. All inpatient rooms are single-occupancy. In addition, there are family-friendly consultation rooms, and an enhanced Emergency Room to swiftly and efficiently treat patients. The ER also has direct access to a large helipad to facilitate Trauma Hawk and other aeromedical transport. To promote care and comfort for new mothers, their babies and their families, the new hospital features six private labor and delivery rooms and a dedicated area for ten private postpartum rooms. In addition, Lakeside Medical Center will provide a state-of-the-art visitor security system.

When Lakeside Medical Center opens, the staff and technology at nearby Glades General Hospital will be transitioned to the new hospital, and Glades General will be retired after more than sixty years of service to the community.