Health First’s Viera Hospital Celebrates Birth Suites’ 1-Year Anniversary, 1,156 Babies Born Since Grand Opening

1,000 BABIES AND COUNTING!

“Behind 1,156 births are 1,156 unique family stories” since the Grand Opening in August 2024.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Health First’s Viera Hospital this week celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Birth Suites. And let’s just say enough kiddos were delivered at Viera to populate a small subdivision along Lake Andrew Drive!

Over 365 days, a total of 1,156 babies were born at Viera Hospital since the grand opening in August 2024.

“This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the passionate, dedicated care of our entire Labor & Delivery team, our amazing OBs, hospitalists, nursing staff, lactation consultants, clinical leadership, respiratory care teams, and every associate and volunteer who supports families through this special journey,” said Mike Mullowney, president, Health First Hospital Division.

“To our team, thank you for the countless moments of compassion, comfort, and joy you bring to every birth. And to every family who chose to begin their story with us this year, thank you for trusting us with life’s most precious moments.”

Officially opened August 21, 2024, the new unit at Viera Hospital transitioned Labor and Delivery care from Cape Canaveral Hospital, as Health First has officially begun construction on a new hospital and medical office complex in Merritt Island, approximately four miles east of the existing Cape Canaveral Hospital.

The Birth Suites at Viera Hospital include 14 spacious rooms for all-inclusive labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care. Patients will remain in the same room throughout their stay, providing a private space for families. The unit also features two operating rooms.

In synchrony with Labor and Delivery services opening at Viera Hospital, Health First Medical Group opened the new Vidina Obstetrics and Gynecology office located on Vidina Drive immediately south of the Viera Hospital campus.

“Behind 1,156 births are 1,156 unique family stories,” said Maria Green, System Director Health First Women and Children’s Services. “Our team combines skill with compassion, so every mom and baby feel safe and supported throughout their stay.”

While Health First and Viera Hospital officials anticipated accelerated patient volumes after labor and delivery transitioned from Cape Canaveral, the decision by Orlando Health to close Rockledge Hospital in April meant hundreds more deliveries would need to immediately be absorbed by local hospitals – primarily Viera and Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Over the next 18 months, Viera Hospital will roll out a series of ambitious projects designed to expand access, reduce wait times, and deliver more specialized care – from maternity and cardiology – to gastrointestinal and surgical services.

After the 2024 opening of the Labor and Delivery unit, half of the hospital’s fifth floor is now primed for expansion and usage.

“We’ve been waiting for the right time and purpose for that space, and now we’re moving forward with construction to add at least 20 inpatient beds,” said Mullowney.

“Given the growth in our Mother/Baby services, we’re also designating four of those beds to support that program – allowing us to continue meeting the needs of our community as well as the continued demand in women’s health.”

Construction on the new inpatient unit is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Once open, the added capacity will help ease pressure on the emergency department, where patients have at times faced delays waiting for inpatient beds.

To further support maternal care, Viera Hospital has launched an OB Hospitalist Program this past July, providing 24/7 in-hospital physician coverage for obstetric emergencies — a significant upgrade in responsiveness and continuity of care.

“We’ve already seen tremendous growth in the Mother/Baby unit – and more annual deliveries than we had previously at Cape Canaveral Hospital,” Mullowney said. “The OB Hospitalist Program gives us an additional layer of support and will allow in-house physicians to manage emergencies as they happen. This will allow Viera to triage every patient immediately, handle urgent needs on the spot, and focus on the quality and safety of the program — giving our community timely care they can rely on.”

Viera Hospital also this month celebrated its third straight 5-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS in August released its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2025, and Health First’s Viera Hospital was one of only 290 U.S. hospitals (and one of only 10 in the state of Florida) to earn the top 5-Star rating. Viera Hospital is the only 5-Star hospital in Brevard County – and one of only two in Central Florida.

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