Florida State University (FSU) on Wednesday announced plans to build a $414 million acute care hospital in Panama City Beach, intended to expand health care access in Bay and Walton counties through the university’s FSU Health initiative.
The facility, pending state approval, would be constructed on 16.5 acres of land. Bond financing for the project was approved by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s 12 public universities. The Florida State University Board of Trustees approved the financing earlier the same day.
FSU intends to partner with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, pending approval by the City of Tallahassee, to lease and operate the hospital. The arrangement is expected to align hospital operations with the university’s academic and community service goals.
“The new hospital is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and quality care to the community,” FSU President Richard McCullough said. “We are creating a state-of-the-art facility that will meet the community’s needs, support local physicians, and prioritize an outstanding patient experience, enhancing the overall health and well-being of our residents.”
The first phase of the facility will support up to 180 beds and include emergency services, general surgery, diagnostic imaging, and specialty care in cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics.
The project includes an Academic Clinical Collaboration Agreement to support clinical research and graduate medical education. It will serve as a component of FSU’s broader health care expansion, which includes an academic health center under construction in Tallahassee and scheduled to open in 2026.
Construction of the Panama City Beach hospital is expected to begin soon, with a targeted opening in 2028.
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