END OF AN ERA: Orlando Health Shutters Rockledge Hospital After Serving Brevard for 84 Years

Hospital had a rich history in Brevard County dating to its establishment in December 1941

 BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA – Orlando Health has shuttered Rockledge Regional Hospital, bringing an end to an era that began more than 84 years ago when Eugene Wuesthoff donated $12,500 to establish a community hospital that bore his name for 70 years.

Wuesthoff Hospital had a rich history in Brevard County, dating back to its establishment on December 15, 1941.

The hospital was founded as a 10-bed, private, not-for-profit facility, made possible by Wuesthoff, a Milwaukee resident who wintered in Rockledge and envisioned a hospital for the community.

This generous contribution was contingent upon matching funds from the local community, which were successfully raised through a campaign organized by the Greater Cocoa Chamber of Commerce. Over 500 residents contributed.

Dr. Robert Schlernitzauer, the mayor of Rockledge at the time, persuaded the City Council to donate land from the former Indian River Hotel golf course as the hospital’s site.

In 2002, Wuesthoff Health System expanded by opening a second facility, Wuesthoff Medical Center-Melbourne, to serve the healthcare needs of south Brevard County and compete with the growing not-for-profit healthcare system Health First, which was formed in 1995 and included at the time of Holmes Regional Medical Center, Cape Canaveral Hospital and Palm Bay Hospital.

Wuesthoff Health System has undergone significant changes in ownership over the past 15 years. In 2010, Health Management Associates, Inc. acquired the System, which included both the Rockledge and Melbourne hospitals.

Later, in 2017, Steward Health Care LLC purchased the system, integrating it into its network of community hospitals.

Following this acquisition, the hospitals were rebranded; Wuesthoff Medical Center-Rockledge became Rockledge Regional Medical Center, and Wuesthoff Medical Center-Melbourne was renamed Melbourne Regional Medical Center.

Orlando Health acquired the 298-bed Rockledge Hospital, along with the 119-bed Melbourne Regional Medical Center and Sebastian River Medical Center, from Steward Health Care in October 2024. The $439 million deal also included related physician practices.

RESIDENT LEFT IN MEDICAL CARE VOID

Orlando Health officials dropped the bomb on Brevardians in late February, announcing that it would shutter its recently acquired Rockledge Regional Hospital on April 22, sparking near panic among residents, medical providers, and governmental entities across the Space Coast.

“I have no idea what my wife and I will do for emergency room or hospital care,” said Lee Hathaway, 82, of Merritt Island.

Hathaway and his wife, Sharon, who have both used the emergency and hospital services at Rockledge for cardiac and COVID issues over the last 25 years, said his doctors and insurance providers have not informed him of his options.

In announcing the hospital’s closing, Orlando Health officials cited its deteriorating condition and prohibitive repair costs.

In a statement, Ohme Entin, Senior Vice President of Orlando Health East Region, said the organization would construct a new hospital in Brevard County. However, they have offered few specific details, other than that they will spend $750 million “over the next four years” on facilities, including a new hospital, free-standing ERs, and physician offices.

“When we acquired Rockledge Hospital last fall, the organization was aware that the facility was in poor condition and did not meet our standards for patient care environments,” said Entin.

Meanwhile, Orlando Health’s seemingly disregard for the immediate healthcare needs of Brevard residents, by closing Rockledge Hospital with just 30 days’ notice, will cost other Brevard County medical providers an estimated $44 million to fill the void, according to a group of Space Coast medical providers.

Orlando Health officials said, upon closure, the Rockledge facility will be demolished, and the land will be sold for redevelopment. Orlando Health said it is also evaluating the future use of other properties surrounding the hospital.

Employees affected by the closure are being offered positions at other Orlando Health locations. The organization assures that all Rockledge Hospital employees in good standing, who are open to relocation or commuting, are guaranteed positions within the system.

Rockledge Hospital’s emergency department stopped accepting patients being transported by ambulance on April 7, and Brevard County Emergency Medical Services, which currently provides medical transport services in the Brevard community, will make some operational changes to maintain and ensure advanced life support services to the Central Brevard community with the hospital’s closure.

Brevard County EMS will now coordinate with Coastal Ambulance Systems to transport non-life-threatening patients to the most appropriate hospital.

For life-threatening conditions, Brevard County EMS will transport patients to the nearest suitable hospital:

● 911 calls may be triaged to ensure the correct resources are being dispatched for our patients
● Brevard County Fire Rescue may respond to a call, assess the patient and contact CAS to transport the patient to a local hospital for non-emergency cases
● Once Brevard County Fire Rescue has verified the condition is non-life-threatening and the CAS unit has been dispatched, the BCFR unit may leave the scene to ensure prompt response for other emergency calls
● When you’re sick or injured, knowing where to go is essential. For non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, visiting your primary care doctor or an urgent care center can help reduce waiting times at emergency rooms. Don’t wait in long ER lines for conditions that can be treated quickly. Residents should become familiar with the locations of the nearest Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care centers.

Emergency Room Locations:

● Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital: 701 W Cocoa Beach Cswy., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
● Health First’s Viera Hospital: 8745 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940
● Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital: 250 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935
● Parrish Medical Center: 951 N Washington Ave., Titusville, FL 32796

Urgent Care Locations:

● Rockledge MedFast Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinic: 1400 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge, FL 32955
● Port St John MedFast Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinic: 5005 Port St John Pkwy., Cocoa, FL 32927
● Merritt Island MedFast Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinic: 390 N Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL 32953

Understanding where to go for medical care can save you valuable time and ensure you get the proper treatment. Choosing the right facility based on your needs helps reduce strain on emergency services, avoid unnecessary wait times, and receive more efficient care.

When to call 911 and when to visit Urgent Care or your primary care doctor:

Call 911 for:

● Severe chest pain or pressure
● Difficulty breathing, or gasping for air
● Sudden numbness/weakness slurred speech, confusion, trouble seeing or walking
● Severe bleeding that won’t stop
● Loss of consciousness
● Serious head injury or trauma
● Seizures
● Severe burns
● Broken bones
● Sudden, severe abdominal pain
● Poisoning or suspected overdose
● Other life-threatening symptoms

Consider Urgent Care for:

● Minor sprains, cuts, and small burns
● Cough, cold, or flu symptoms
● Mild fevers
● Minor stomach pains
● Minor rashes or skin problems
● Mild to moderate breathing issues
● Ear infections or severe sore throat

Consider visiting your Primary Care Doctor for:

● Chronic condition management (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
● Mild cold or flu symptoms
● General physicals or wellness checks
● Medication refills
● Mild headaches or muscle aches
● Preventive care (vaccines, screenings)
● Mild acid reflux

Other Emergencies/Resources: 2-1-1 Brevard provides resources for those in need of mental or emotional support, community information, substance abuse help, or a suicide lifeline. You can dial 211 or 988 for this vital community resource.

Health First Stresses Commitment and Mission to Community

Health First‘s new 268,000-square-foot Cape Canaveral Hospital is under construction in Central Brevard County and will include 120 private inpatient beds, 25 Emergency Department treatment rooms, and six Operating Rooms.

The project also includes a new 3-story, 92,000-square-foot Medical Office Building. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2026 and begin serving our community in early 2027, simultaneously with the new Cape Canaveral Hospital.

“For 30 years, Health First has been Brevard County’s largest healthcare provider and one of the largest employers in the region,” said Health First spokesman Lance Skelly.

“We look forward to continuing to grow and serve the Space Coast, as the region also continues to grow. We continue our commitment and mission to provide safe, accessible, high-quality care to the hundreds of thousands of residents, businesses, and visitors who call on us each and every year.

“As the Space Coast community continues its rapid development and expansion, this region will absolutely require a strong health care network that will grow with and meet those future needs and demands. We are ahead of schedule with our construction of the new Cape Canaveral Hospital and Medical Office Building in Merritt Island with a targeted open date of early 2027. The land is cleared, the foundation has been laid, and walls are already being erected.

“In addition, we are finalizing details to construct and open two new free-standing emergency departments in Brevard County by 2027. As our community continues to grow, the need for accessible, high-quality emergency care has never been more critical. These new facilities will help ensure that residents have convenient access to the care they need, close to home. We look forward to sharing more details about this exciting endeavor in the coming weeks.

“And as we announced in December, Health First has expanded its First Flight Air Ambulance program with a second full-time helicopter. The new helicopter and crew will be stationed in the northern tier of Brevard County, while the original aircraft and crew will remain in Melbourne, covering the southern tier and parts of Indian River County.

“And with the collaboration and addition of Parrish Healthcare to our Health Plan, we are excited to see membership growth across the northern county and are looking for even more ways to collaborate with Parrish.

“While changes like these are never easy, Health First remains deeply committed to improving the health and wellness of our community. Our focus has always been — and will continue to be — to put patients first by providing safe, accessible, and high-quality care. As Brevard County grows, we are dedicated to evolving with it, ensuring that every family has the care they need, close to home,” said Skelly.

Similar Stories