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, around the clock, for adults and children. Our expansive ED space features an eight-bay ambulance entrance, 60 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
Comprehensive surgical and procedural care featuring robotics and the latest advancements in orthopedics, general surgery, colorectal, neurospine, and future programs such as cardiovascular surgery.
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)
An 18-bed ICU meets the critical care needs of patients across all service lines and can be expanded to up to 36 beds as hospital programs grow. Dedicated elevators from the ED allow for direct and timely transport of critical patients to the ICU or operating rooms.
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 and rehabilitation come together, the third floor supports integrated patient care through medical, surgical and therapy services. This floor includes 30 private medical surgical patient rooms, a 30-bed orthopedic and neuro unit specializing in spine care, and comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy. A dedicated rehabilitation gym helps patients and families prepare for recovery and discharge.
4th Floor
A Sanctuary of Healing
The fourth floor provides a continuum of care through a general medical unit, progressive care services and dedicated dialysis space. This level includes a 30-bed medical unit for acute care management, a 30-bed medical neuro progressive care unit with specialized stroke care, and renal care and dialysis services designed to support individualized patient needs.
5th Floor
Where Expertise Meets Compassion
in Heart Care
With a team-based approach to heart care, this floor provides specialized pre- and post-cardiac procedural services in private “smart” patient rooms designed for comfort and technology integration. Services include a 30-bed Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU) offering specialized monitoring and telemetry, as well as a 30-bed Cardiac Interventional Unit supporting diagnostic and minimally invasive cardiac procedures.
6th Floor
Expert Care with a Human Touch
The sixth floor expands women’s services with postpartum care and a future Level II NICU, while also providing advanced oncology care. This floor includes a 16-bed postpartum unit offering a safe, private recovery space for new mothers, a NICU opening fall 2026 for infants needing specialized care, and a 30-bed oncology unit delivering personalized medical, radiation and surgical cancer treatment.
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.
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
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