JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Jacksonville is one of the fastest-growing districts in the city, but lifelong resident Virginia Palmer remembers what it was like years ago.
“Growing up here, there was not a whole lot,” she said. “There were a few doctor’s offices and a few grocery stores, but not much else.”
Now, Palmer works in patient relations at UF Health North, the only full-service hospital in North Jacksonville.
She said it was a long time coming, and she vividly remembers the day the hospital first opened its doors.
“It was very exciting,” Palmer recalls. “Prior to opening, we actually did an open house, and people lined up for hours just to come through and see the building.”
UF Health North Vice President Wayne Marshall says the community has embraced the hospital from the start.
“When we broke ground in 2013, we knew there was a need,” Marshall said. “People would tell us, ‘Oh, you guys are building our hospital.’ And I always thought that was the coolest thing—they called it their hospital.”
UF Health North opened in 2015 as a medical office building, and two years later, it expanded to the full-service hospital.
When the first tower opened with 92 beds, the facility saw around 3,500 patients. Fast forward seven years, and the hospital has added a second tower with 124 additional beds.
Last year alone, UF Health North had nearly 12,000 patient admissions.
“What this expansion provides is continuity of care,” Palmer explained. “People can come here for screenings before there’s even a problem, see specialty doctors, have procedures, and even go through rehab—all in one place.”
Palmer understands the importance of comprehensive health care on a deeply personal level. As she celebrates her 10-year anniversary at UF Health North, she also marks another significant milestone.
“In 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage 2A invasive ductal carcinoma,” Palmer shared. “I had just started my job here in February and was diagnosed in April. To say I wasn’t scared would not be telling the truth. I was in a brand-new facility, with brand-new doctors that I didn’t know. But in the end, it was an amazing experience.”
Now cancer-free, Palmer is grateful for the care she received. She has witnessed firsthand how UF Health North has improved access to quality health care in the community.
“Absolutely, we are here to help people,” she said. “It’s all about prevention and screening, but we are also here when you need treatment.”
With patient demand steadily increasing, UF Health North continues to plan for future growth, ensuring that North Jacksonville residents have access to high-quality health care for years to come.