‘UF&Shands at Springhill’ to offer specialty care in northwest Alachua County

UF&Shands leaders today joined with Alachua County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson to break ground for “UF&Shands at Springhill,” a new facility that will house University of Florida Physicians specialty practices in neurology, cardiology, psychiatry, dermatology and women’s health.

The new facility, located off Interstate 75 Exit 390 near Northwest 39th Avenue and Northwest 89th Boulevard, is scheduled to open in January 2013. Clearing the site and constructing the new four-story, 111,600-square-foot facility represents a $35.5 million investment, officials said. “This is another example of how UF&Shands is reinvesting in Alachua County,” said David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., UF senior vice president for health affairs and president of the UF&Shands Health System. “By grouping specialty practices here with existing facilities like Shands Vista and Shands Rehab Hospital, we are building a northwest campus of UF&Shands. We expect to add specialty services here as the campus develops, creating a medical hub that provides needed, quality health care while stimulating the area economy.”

The campus will offer services in one of the fastest growing areas of the county, officials said.

“We are placing our primary care practices throughout Gainesville, close to where people live, and specialty care will be delivered on specialty campuses. This will be a principal campus offering more than a half dozen services in one of the fastest population growth areas of the county,” said Michael Good, M.D., dean of the UF College of Medicine. “For people who live in Alachua County, this is right along major east-west and north-south corridors. And for the growing numbers of patients from surrounding counties, it has convenient interstate access.”

Diagnostic services including mammography, X-ray, ultrasound and clinical laboratory testing will be on site to support the specialty practices.

“This will be a state of the art campus where individuals receive world-class, specialty medical care at a convenient and comfortable facility,” said Marvin Dewar, M.D., J.D., a senior associate dean and chief executive officer of UF Physicians with the College of Medicine. “From dermatology to prenatal care, from neurological disorders like memory disorders to psychiatric conditions such as depression or addiction, and from women’s health services to outstanding cardiac care — our patients will find it all housed under one roof, with the addition of such features as paperless health records throughout, and secure online access to medical results.”

Companies involved in the design and construction of UF&Shands at Springhill are Skanska USA Building, Flad Architects, Affiliated Engineers, Causseaux, Hewett & Walpole Inc. and Watson Construction.