Orlando Health team members, Polk County officials, and community members celebrated a major milestone during today’s Topping-out Ceremony at the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital construction site, near the corner of Polk County Parkway and Lakeland Highlands Road.
The group gathered to sign the final beam, just before it was hoisted by a crane and swung into place. The celebration commemorates the end of vertical construction on the 7-story facility, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.
“This is a special day for us! Four years ago, we set out to provide the Polk County community with convenient access to high-quality healthcare services and we are excited to see the hospital well on its way to completion”, said Carlos Carrasco, President of Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital and Senior Vice President, Orlando Health.
When Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital opens in 2026, it will have 302 inpatient beds. The hospital and its campus were designed by the architecture, planning, and engineering firm HOK. It can increase its capacity to accommodate up to 360 hospital beds.
“With Polk County’s rapid growth, we are excited to offer a wide range of services. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Lakeland community as we prepare for the grand opening in 2026,” said Carrasco.