Health First is expanding its footprint in Brevard County with the opening of a freestanding emergency room in Rockledge and continued recognition for its Viera Hospital. The 13,500-square-foot ER, located at 3340 S. Fiske Blvd, is set to open in mid-December and will feature 12 emergency beds. This marks the first freestanding ER in Brevard, a county with no such facilities until now. The ER will operate independently of a hospital campus but provide the same level of care as a hospital-based emergency room.
The expansion includes hiring for over 100 roles, including paramedics, nurses, and support staff. More than 35 people have accepted positions, with about 60% of hires coming from internal transfers. Mike Mullowney, president of Health First's Hospital Division, said the goal is to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for emergency care. "We don't want people to travel a long distance to get to emergency services," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Viera Hospital has been ranked as one of the top 10 hospitals in Florida by Forbes' 2026 Top Hospitals by State list. The hospital received a 5-star Overall Hospital Quality Rating, making it the only Brevard hospital to earn the distinction. Forbes evaluated hospitals using data from Medicare and Medicaid Services, focusing on patient outcomes, best practices, and value. Viera Hospital's ranking follows its second consecutive appearance on Forbes' national Top Hospitals list this year.
The recognition highlights Viera Hospital's performance in areas like patient experience and clinical outcomes. The hospital's leadership did not provide specific comments on the Forbes ranking but emphasized ongoing efforts to improve care. With the new ER and continued recognition, Health First aims to strengthen its role in Brevard's healthcare landscape.