UF Health Jacksonville broke ground today on a joint project with the YMCA within the new community of Wildlight in Nassau County. UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight will have 36,000 square feet and include a YMCA fitness center.
The new facility will offer adult and pediatric rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy and speech language pathology, and a healthy living center. Plans include 5,000 square feet of rehabilitative space to provide specialized, one-on-one care. Future expansion is expected to add more than 15,000 square feet for specialty services.
“Prevention and rehabilitation are two very important parts of health care, and we are excited to work with the YMCA to help keep the community healthy and moving,” said Jeanne Bradshaw, director of rehabilitative services for UF Health Jacksonville. “We feel confident the partnership will result in innovative programs that improve the health of the community.”
This is UF Health’s second major project in Wildlight. In August 2018, the organization began construction on a comprehensive medical office building scheduled to open in December 2019. That building will hold 40,000 square feet of office and medical space for primary care using a patient-centered model focused on prevention and early diagnosis. It will include urgent care staffed by emergency medicine faculty, imaging services, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, mental health services, dentistry and a laboratory.
“Our goal is to give the people who live in Wildlight and the areas surrounding it the most comprehensive primary and specialty care in Nassau County,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., MD, MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “That includes not only ambulatory care, but also prevention and rehabilitation. We believe this shows our continued dedication to all residents of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.”
UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight, located in the center of the Wildlight community, is projected to open in spring 2020. The facility will be a community resource for health education programs and classes.
The YMCA, which will take up 25,000 square feet of the building, will give residents of Wildlight and the surrounding area a new option for health training and more.
“The Y is committed to building a stronger First Coast by helping residents live their healthiest lives,” said First Coast YMCA President and CEO Eric K. Mann. “Today’s groundbreaking highlights the importance of community partnerships such as the one we have established with the University of Florida and UF Health to advance our mission and meet the health and wellness needs of this rapidly growing region. We look forward to providing generations of families with services focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”
One of Wildlight’s key objectives is to create a community where people can live, work and play in a dynamic environment. An individual’s health and well-being, which includes the mind, body, spirit and social aspects of life, are essential elements. UF will provide the breadth of knowledge, talented faculty and resources to ensure healthy living is integrated into the fabric of Wildlight through healthy habits, education, fitness and recreation programs.
“Our vision for Wildlight to enhance the community’s quality of life through health and wellness resources is becoming a reality,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “Our strategic collaboration with the University of Florida and UF Health Jacksonville will provide a vital and transformative development where residents can nurture mind, body and spirit, as well as strengthen community needs. Furthermore, we are thrilled that UF Health Jacksonville is bringing the First Coast Y to Wildlight, as it will be a vital health asset to the wellbeing of our future residents and great community.”