Broward Health Hosts Groundbreaking for Freestanding Emergency Department in Sunrise

Friday Oct. 13, 2023

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA; Broward Health today hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a freestanding emergency department in Sunrise, the first to be opened by Broward Health. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System will partner to ensure exceptional emergency care at the new freestanding emergency department.

“Sunrise has long been considered a medical desert, lacking necessary medical services for the residents who call that city home,” said Shane Strum, Broward Health President & CEO. “We explored a number of ways to mitigate the gap in healthcare and are proud to be teaming up with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to bring high-quality emergency care to adults and children who call Sunrise home.”

Broward Health anticipates that almost 15,000 emergency patients will be treated at the new facility annually.

“This is an exciting moment for Broward Health and the City of Sunrise,” said Christopher Pernicano, chair of the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners. “As Broward County’s two public hospital systems in the north and the south, the Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare systems share a common goal to provide high-quality healthcare to all in our community.”

The freestanding emergency department will be equipped to do everything a hospital-based emergency department can, with adult emergency care provided by Broward Health and pediatric emergency care provided by Memorial Healthcare System’s Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital. The freestanding emergency department is expected to be completed in early 2025.

“We want to thank Broward Health and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for your faith in our community,” said City of Sunrise Mayor Michael J. Ryan. “For providing leadership and healthcare and bringing for the first time a freestanding Emergency Department and to the City of Sunrise.”

Freestanding emergency departments have become increasingly popular as the demand for high-quality emergency services has grown. This is especially true for a fast-growing city like Sunrise, which is expected to grow 1.5% during the next five years.

“This is a watershed moment for the residents of the City of Sunrise,” said Sunrise’s Deputy Mayor Mark A. Douglas. “Our neighbors to the north and the south, east and west of us all have hospital facilities, but it is important that healthcare be made available locally to the residents of Sunrise.”

In addition to providing essential medical care, the freestanding emergency department is expected to have a $10.8 million economic impact to the community through dozens of jobs it will create.

“We are here today and there is nothing better than knowing we can provide first-class healthcare for the residents of Sunrise,” said City of Sunrise Assistant Deputy Mayor Joseph A. Scuotto.

Freestanding emergency departments offer the same level of emergency services as any hospital-based ER, but in a stand-alone and easily accessible location. This includes round-the-clock access to board-certified emergency medicine doctors and nurses, pediatric specialists, diagnostic imaging and a full-service laboratory. The average discharge time at a freestanding emergency department is 90 to 120 minutes, compared to 220 minutes at a hospital. 

“I’m excited for the freestanding emergency room to provide quality healthcare to our community,” Neil C. Kerch, City of Sunrise commissioner said. “I look forward to a successful partnership with Broward Health to make the City of Sunrise the best place to live, work, play, learn, shop and eat.”

As a healthcare professional and a mom of three, City of Sunrise Commissioner Jacqueline A. Guzman recognizes the importance of this project for the community.

“This is one of the biggest accomplishments for me as a commissioner to be part of this because this is going to be forever,” Guzman said. “I can’t wait to see all the great things that Broward Health and Joe DiMaggio are going to do in our community for our families.”

Prior to the end of the event James Roach, D.O., system chief of emergency services at Broward Health, who also serves as the medical director of Sunrise EMS, provided an overview of the features and medical services that will be available at the new freestanding emergency department.

• Staffed by board-certified emergency physicians.
• 24/7 hours of operation, 365 days a year.
• Specialized pediatric care.
• Advanced diagnostics and radiology services, inclusive of mammography, ultrasound, CT scan, bone density and plain X-ray.
• Convenient access to the Broward Health system, which can provide high-quality treatment for virtually any medical specialty.

“Every second counts during a medical emergency,” said Dr. Roach. “When it comes to life-threatening health conditions – such as head injuries, uncontrolled bleeding or signs of stroke – access to an emergency room can make all the difference.”

The freestanding emergency department will be located at the intersection of West Oakland Park Boulevard and N.W. 90^th Terrace.

“Thanks to the support of the community and the collaborative efforts of the City of Sunrise, Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System leaders, Sunrise residents will finally get the healthcare they need close to home,” Strum said. “As our community grows and healthcare needs evolve, Broward Health will continue our 85-year legacy of innovation and service to Sunrise and beyond.”

For more information and ongoing updates on the Sunrise freestanding emergency room, visit BrowardHealth.org/Sunrise.

https://www.browardhealth.org/news/news-articles/101323-broward-health-hosts-groundbreaking-for-freestanding-emergency-department-in-sunrise