Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital
Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital is the actualization of a collaboration between Orlando Health, one of the highest quality hospital systems in the southeastern United States, and Watson Clinic, one of the region’s most respected physician-led practices.
The hospital debuts in summer 2026 as a premier hospital within the city of Lakeland and Orlando Health’s Mid-Florida Region. As part of our commitment to bring high-quality, outcomes-based healthcare to one of the fastest growing areas in the state of Florida, the seven-story multispecialty hospital features more than 550,000 square feet of space devoted to providing exceptional care for Polk County and the surrounding communities.
Ground Floor
Welcome to a New Healthcare Experience
Providing an unparalleled customer service experience, our patient ambassadors welcome our patients, families and guests upon arrival and serve as a dedicated liaison to guide their care journey throughout the duration of their stay.
Lobby
With a warm and modern atmosphere, we’re here to support our patients and their guests from the moment of arrival. Our hospital lobby features spacious seating, natural light and intuitive navigation.
Registration
The registration area is designed to provide a seamless and efficient experience for patients to ensure each receives personalized attention.
Pre-Admission Testing
- Pre-admission testing is exclusive to patients who are having surgery in this building.
- This department works with patients to optimize them medically prior to their surgery.
- Physician-led team rounds on patients in nursing units.
Nutrition Hub
Full-service café and coffee shop offer welcoming spaces to nourish and rejuvenate.
Inpatient Diagnostic Care
- Laboratory Services
- Pharmacy
Scripts Pharmacy
- The Orlando Health Scripts pharmacy makes it easy for patients to fulfill their prescription needs, offering a one-stop shop with expedient service and easy access for the community.
- Pharmacists can work directly with doctors regarding any medication issues or cost concerns.
- Patients receive one-on-one counseling from a pharmacist and can pick up over-the-counter medications that are in stock.
- Patients can take advantage of the Meds to Beds Program when planning discharge from the hospital.
Meditation Room
Our serene meditation room offers a peaceful space for reflection and prayer.
Emergency Care
Providing immediate, top-tier medical attention, our expansive ED space features an eight-bay ambulance entrance, 49 patient rooms, three resuscitation bays and a 20-bed observation unit.
Radiology Department
The integration of AI technology delivers superior image solutions with enhanced clarity and speed.
- Two CT scanners (with shelled space for a third), as well as X-ray, ultrasound and fluoroscopy machines
- Two nuclear medicine rooms, including one SPECT/CT featuring a high-end, low dose 64-slice CT
- Two MRI rooms, including 1.5T and 3T magnets with AI-powered image reconstruction technology
- Noninvasive cardiology diagnostics include pulmonary function test (PFT), stress test, echocardiogram and vascular studies
2nd Floor
The Epicenter of Surgical Innovation
A testament to our commitment to excellence, we offer comprehensive surgical care featuring robotics and the latest surgical advancements in orthopedics, general surgery, colorectal, neurospine, and future programs such as cardiovascular surgery.
Surgical Services
Preparation and Recovery/PACU: 51 rooms where patients will await surgery and receive post-anesthesia and recovery care
Surgical Suites: 11 state-of-the-art operating rooms plus a hybrid and cardiovascular surgery operating room opening in 2027
Interventional Suites: Three rooms built for flexibility to meet our patients’ needs for electrophysiology and catheterization cases, as well as a room dedicated to interventional radiology
Endoscopy Suite: Offers interventional bronchoscopy, general gastroenterology, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) procedures
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
A specialized unit for the critically ill with continuous, comprehensive monitoring.
- 16 ICU rooms plus six shelled.
- Equipped for managing medical, surgical, cardiac and neurological emergencies.
- Staffed with specialized medical teams, including intensivists, critical care nurses and respiratory therapists.
- This high-stakes environment is meticulously organized to ensure that patients receive lifesaving care.
Sterile Processing Department
This department is known as “the heart of the hospital,” enabling superior patient safety and care through meticulous cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing of surgical instruments.
Celebrating New Beginnings
This floor is dedicated to the joy of new life, providing exceptional care for both mom and baby, ensuring a healthy and happy start for families.
Center for Women and Babies
A part of Orlando Health Women’s Institute, we are bringing the trust and expertise from Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies to this campus.
- Labor and Delivery: Eight spacious birthing suites are designed and equipped for comfort during labor and delivery with space for family support. This unit also includes two dedicated C-section operating rooms.
- Postpartum Care: Families can rest easy knowing their precious newborn is safe and secure in locked units with 28 private rooms (12 on second floor and 16 on sixth floor).
3rd Floor
A Fusion of Care and Recovery
A space where surgical recovery meets physical restoration, the third floor exemplifies integrated patient care, with medical and surgical expertise complementing robust rehabilitation.
Surgical Unit
This unit houses comprehensive medical surgical services with 30 private patient rooms.
Ortho/Neuro Unit
This 30-bed unit offers a specialized level of care in orthopedics and spine.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Comprehensive physical, occupational and speech therapy services start patients on the road to recovery.
- Rehabilitation Gym: Our dedicated team of therapists help support our physical therapy and rehabilitation needs while preparing patients and families for discharge.
4th Floor
Where Expertise Meets Compassion in Heart Care
With a team approach to diagnose and treat patients with a wide spectrum of heart conditions, we provide specialized pre- and post-cardiac procedural care. Patients and their guests will have an enhanced patient experience in their private “smart” room combining technology with comfort.
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU)
This 30-bed unit offers specialized monitoring, telemetry and interventions tailored to the unique needs of cardiac patients.
Cardiac Interventional Unit
- This 30-bed unit provides specialized care to patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic cardiac procedures, often using minimally invasive techniques.
5th Floor
Where Expertise Meets Compassion in Heart Care
With a team approach to diagnose and treat patients with a wide spectrum of heart conditions, we provide specialized pre- and post-cardiac procedural care. Patients and their guests will have an enhanced patient experience in their private “smart” room combining technology with comfort.
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU)
This 30-bed unit offers specialized monitoring, telemetry and interventions tailored to the unique needs of cardiac patients.
Cardiac Interventional Unit
- This 30-bed unit provides specialized care to patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic cardiac procedures, often using minimally invasive techniques.
6th Floor
Expert Care with a Human Touch
The sixth floor offers an extension of our labor and delivery unit with postpartum beds and a soon-to-debut Level II NICU. This floor also houses our oncology unit to deliver expert, compassionate care for those facing a cancer diagnosis.
Postpartum Care
This 16-bed unit provides a safe, private space for moms to recover and get to know the new addition to the family.
Future Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Opening fall 2026, our 12-room NICU will care for our littlest patients who need extra medical attention.
Oncology Unit
- In this 30-bed unit, experts in medical, radiation and surgical oncology provide the most advanced, personalized cancer care.
7th Floor
Healing for a Stronger Tomorrow
This calming space is focused on integrated patient care to facilitate restorative recovery.
Medical Surgical Unit
This 18-bed unit (shelled for 30) stabilizes a patient’s condition after an illness or surgery to begin their healing journey.
- Throughout all of our inpatient rooms, digital whiteboards allow patients to have real-time access to information, including their care team members, individualized care plans and medication schedule.
Smart Rooms
Throughout all of our inpatient rooms, digital whiteboards allow patients to have real-time access to information, including their care team members, individualized care plans and medication schedule.
Construction Fast Facts
- More than 550,000 square feet
- 306 beds at opening
- 13 operating rooms, +2 C-section rooms
- 4,200 tons of rebar
- 1,600 doors
- 38,000 cubic yards of concrete
- 14 elevators
- 72,000 square feet of glass
- 458 bathrooms with 249 built off site and delivered as completed pods