UF Health St. JohnsAnnounces Plans for Health Village in Palm Coast

St. Augustine, Fla. – September 09, 2019 – UF Health St. Johnsannounced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase a four-acre property at the southwest corner of Matanzas Woods Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway in the City of Palm Coast. The total care enterprise, which has an aim to advance the physical, social and economic health of area communities, plans to introduce its health village concept to Flagler County. It is anticipated that the UF Health St. JohnsVillage at Palm Coast will incorporate family practice with embedded behavioral health services, women’s care, urgent care, orthopaedics, imaging and laboratory services all within a community-centric setting. The project will incorporate dedicated green space for healthy lifestyle programming, arts activities and events and will likely include a key community engagement partner.

“Our goal is to be the most essential health partner for the communities we serve,” stated UF Health St. JohnsPresident & CEO Jason Barrett. “We have a long history of serving the residents of Flagler County and look forward to expanding that relationship. We are committed to serving as the center point for building a healthier community together.”

Important to this effort will be a Community Health Advisory Council for the UF Health St. JohnsVillage at Palm Coast. This council will collaborate with area schools, businesses, residents and other stakeholders to ensure that the design and programming of the health village meets the area’s needs. The UF Health St. Johnscommunity health team will also bring its proven approach to identifying and improving health factors and outcomes for area residents of all ages to the process. Interested residents can apply for the council by clicking on this link: https://www.flaglerhospital.org/Health-Villages/Opening-in-2021-Palm-Coast.aspx

“From our clinical services to healthy living, to events and education programs, our health village offerings will be custom-designed in collaboration with area residents to ensure the unique needs and desires of Flagler County residents are met,” added Barrett. “We’re not focused on disconnected, episodic interactions, but rather building a relationship of care throughout the journey of life.”

This project marks another milestone in the economic growth of Flagler County. As Life Sciences is one of the Flagler County Department of Economic Opportunity’s targeted industries and a component of the long-term strategy, UF Health St. Johnswill further diversify the local economy, provide high-paying jobs and support the County’s quality of life. The multi-million- dollar capital investment will create 70+ jobs with an average wage of approximately $60,000/year.

“Bringing strong mental health services to our community is on the top of my priority list,” stated Commissioner Joe Mullins. “The presence of UF Health St. Johnsnot only strengthens our community through physical well-being and economic growth, it ensures that essential mental health resources and other medical service needs are addressed now.”

While planning and design has yet to be finalized, the UF Health St. JohnsVillage is conceptualized to include interior and exterior spaces that accommodate a wide array of community-centric offerings. Construction is planned to begin in 2020 with opening slated for 2021.

ABOUT FLAGLER HEALTH+

UF Health St. Johns is a total-care enterprise aimed at advancing the physical, social and economic health of Northeast Florida communities. From working with area schools to address youth behavioral health to bringing a new concept in health villages throughout the region, UF Health St. Johns is building healthier communities. UF Health St. Johns is an extension of UF Health Flagler Hospital, which has a 130-year legacy of caring for the community. Learn more at flaglerhealth.org.