The long-awaited Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital is set to open on Wednesday, July 8. Orlando Health invested $500+ million to build the facility, and its physicians will work alongside those from Watson Clinic to provide care for Lakelanders.

Whether you're a patient, a visitor, or one of the hospital's 1,500+ employees, here's what to know.

A doctor gestures inside a modern cardiac catheterization lab equipped with monitors and medical imaging systems. — Cardiologist interventionist Dr. Mark Mines is the hospital's new Chief Medical Officer — here, he shows off a shiny new heart catheterization lab. | Photo by LALtoday

Patients

The hospital will focus on caring for hearts, brains, and babies, with specialized units for treating cardiac + neurological conditions, plus the Center for Women and Babies. There's an oncology unit, a radiology department, physical therapy, and much more; a NICU for newborns is also coming in the near future.

Doctors have the latest and greatest tech at their disposal, from a high-resolution 3-T MRI machine to a biplane radiology scanner that looks straight out of "Star Wars." Some of the hospital's tools are the only ones of their kind you'll find in the area.

A modern hospital patient room featuring an adjustable bed, a mobile workstation, and a sofa by a large window.

The technology doesn't stop there — patient rooms are equipped with digital whiteboards where you can stay on top of your care plan, keep track of medications, and see real-time updates to your chart.

If you're already established with Watson Clinic, check out these FAQs and search for your physician. Note: They may be working from the Parkway Medical Center, which just opened on the same campus as the hospital.

A modern hospital waiting room with blue armchairs, small tables, potted plants, and artwork on the walls. — Wait nearby in one of the many visitor lounge areas. | Photo provided by Orlando Health

Visitors

On a media tour of the hospital, we heard over and over again how important family is to the recovery process. There are no set visiting hours, so guests are welcome to pop in when patients are ready for them. Visiting guidelines for the Lakeland Highlands Hospital are yet to be released, but most of Orlando Health's other facilities allow up to two visitors at a time. Patient rooms are private and offer pull-out beds for overnight guests.

Parking is free and plentiful in the lot facing Lakeland Highlands Road. Inside, there's a spacious lobby, comfortable waiting rooms outside different departments, and a cafeteria with several options. One we're looking forward to most: Concord Coffee, which will serve its full cafe menu.

After grabbing a bite, check out the wall display around the corner that details the 85-year history of Watson Clinic and its new partnership with Orlando Health. You might notice some blank spaces — expect to see milestones like the hospital's first newborn there soon.

A group of six smiling nurses and healthcare professionals pose together in a modern hospital office setting. — Nursing staff was already hard at work on preparations when we toured in June. | Photo by LALtoday

Staff

On its first day, Lakeland Highlands Hospital will open with 1,500 employees, but that number is expected to grow to 1,700 by the end of the year. The staff will include Orlando Health employees, Watson Clinic physicians, and newly hired team members, including 600+ registered nurses. Check out the open positions.

Full-time and part-time employees will have access to scholarships to further their education. Polk State College joined the Preferred Education Program in 2025, meaning Orlando Health team members can pursue bachelor's degrees or certificates without out-of-pocket costs.

You may see local students learning alongside you, too. Orlando Health partnered with four Polk colleges, including Florida Southern College and Polk State, to offer clinical training for nursing students. It also began a partnership with George Jenkins High School, providing students in the school's medical academy with experience in healthcare.