April 22, 2025 update.
Today, Orlando Health officially closes Rockledge Hospital—just months after acquiring it. Unfortunately, this closure isn’t isolated. It reflects a broader pattern Brevard residents are already experiencing.
Orlando Health has significantly reduced services across Brevard County, redirecting patients to Orlando and leaving meaningful gaps in local healthcare—for patients, families, and the providers who care for them.
Over the weekend, Florida Today reported on the community’s sadness and frustration surrounding the loss of Brevard County’s second-largest hospital—a cornerstone of care for 84 years.
Johnette Gindling, President and CEO of the Space Coast Health Foundation, shared this:
“This is where it gets difficult. Area hospitals already are reporting increases in emergency-room visits, and we expect there will be additional challenges, particularly in the next few months, as Rockledge Hospital completely ceases operations on April 22," Gindling said. "During this transition, it’s going to take all of us to be part of the solution, and many of our health care partners are stepping up with creative plans toward solutions. I applaud them for that. And lawmakers in Tallahassee have noticed the hard work they’re doing for the Space Coast community and commending them for their efforts.”
Health First is stepping forward.
As Brevard’s only locally governed, not-for-profit health system, we remain deeply committed to this community—and we’ve taken swift, meaningful action:
- Welcoming New Associates: We’ve hosted 22 targeted recruiting events and welcomed 112 former Rockledge associates—including 77 registered nurses—to our team.
- Increasing Capacity: Ambulance arrivals at Cape Canaveral and Viera Hospitals are up significantly. We’ve rapidly expanded staffing and inpatient capacity to meet demand.
- National Recognition: Cape Canaveral and Viera Hospitals were just named among Newsweek’s “Best Hospitals,” underscoring the nationally recognized care we’re proud to provide—right here at home.
- Accelerating Access: We’ve fast-tracked new freestanding Emergency Departments, expanded Hospital at Home services, and added inpatient beds across our system.
Operational Readiness: EMS and state leaders have praised Health First’s proactive coordination and readiness across Central Brevard.
There were opportunities to preserve access to care in Rockledge—through thoughtful planning, partnership, or investment. Orlando Health chose another path. Health First is stepping up with long-term, community-first solutions.
We are here. We are ready. And we won’t walk away.