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That year
was memorable for one other important event: it was the year
Florida Hospital first opened its doors.
Today's
billion-dollar Florida Hospital system got started with $4.83.
That's the amount Seventh-day Adventist leaders actually had
in their treasury when they made a $9,000 offer to buy what
was then known as "Dr. Harris Sanitarium and Hotel Company."
Orlando surgeon R. L. Harris had established the facility
in a farmhouse on 72 acres between the shores of Lake Estelle
and Lake Winyah. He built several small cottages on the property,
installed a sewer system, and outfitted the rooms, spending
a total of $12,500—a large sum in those days.
Between
1908 and 1920, a number of changes took place at the hospital.
The progress during these early years would set a pattern
that has followed the hospital until the present day—improvement
and expansion of the facilities, along with educational training
of hospital workers.
In
1940 a new wing was one of the major construction programs
and is still in use today. By 1950, the hospital hadn't changed
much on the outside, but on the inside great changes were
taking place. Patients no longer came to the hospital to "rest,"
but came for specific medical treatment—and the emergence
of many new surgical and medical treatment options offered
them a better chance for recovery. With the installation of
air-conditioning in 1958, year-round care became truly possible
for the first time.
During
the 1960s, the outdated wooden structures were soon torn down
and replaced with modern facilities. The hospital grew to
nearly 500 beds by 1970, and the interior underwent even more
dramatic changes. Specialty programs including cardiology,
orthopedic surgery, organ transplants, and cancer treatment
were added.
The lush
lawns of the 50s and 60s were gone by the 70s as a result
of the need for land for new construction. The hospital built
the new Diagnostic and Treatment Center which housed the new
Emergency Department, Lab, Radiology, operating suites, and
other services, as well as an underground physician parking
garage. This new Center was built so that new floors could
be added in the future, and in 1982 an 11-story addition was
completed at a cost of $120 million—the most expensive
building program in the hospital's history. The word "Sanitarium"
was dropped from its name in 1970 and the hospital became
known simply as "Florida Hospital." By the end of
the 80s the Orlando facility was one of Florida's largest
hospitals, with a growing international reputation. In 1973,
Florida Hospital Altamonte in Altamonte springs became the
first "satellite" hospital, and in 1975 Florida
Hospital Apopka was purchased.
Today,
Florida Hospital is a multi-campus system, with full-service
facilities in Orlando, Altamonte, Apopka, East Orlando, Kissimmee,
Volusia County and Sebring, as well as 13 walk-in clinics
or Centra Cares situated throughout Central Florida. In 1997,
Celebration Health—a state-of-the-art facility—opened
its doors in the futuristic Disney city, Celebration. Construction
was also completed in early 1998 on the RDV Sportsplex in
Maitland, a joint venture between the hospital and the parent
corporation of the Orlando Magic basketball team and the Orlando
Solar Bears hockey team. This unique facility provides a rehabilitation
and fitness center, along with a Women's Center, training
facilities, and a complete sports medicine program, among
other services.
In 1991,
the Cancer Center received permission from the wife of the
late Walt Disney to name the Cancer Institute in his honor.
In mid-1998 the new Cancer Institute was completed, and today,
the Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute (WDMCI) has developed
the region's most comprehensive cancer treatment and research
center, located on the Orlando campus.
Florida
Hospital is committed to development and growth as it keeps
abreast of the latest in technology, and its main priority
will continue to be the health and well-being of the people
of Central Florida during the 21st century..
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Florida
Hospital, main campus,
1908
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Florida
Hospital, main campus,
1996
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