Health First's orthopedic program delivers advanced, patient -centered musculoskeletal care. 
 

^{WATCH: The Health First Board of Directors has authorized plans to create a state-of-the-art Orthopedics & Spine Institute and Same-Day Surgical Center on the Viera Hospital Medical Campus.}

The Health First Board of Directors has authorized plans to create a state-of-the-art Orthopedics & Spine Institute and Same-Day Surgical Center, which, pending final approval, would be located on the Viera Hospital Medical Campus. The plan calls for the construction of a Medical Office Building, an Orthopedics Institute, and a Same-Day Surgery Center on the Viera Campus.   
 

The Institute and Same-Day Surgical Center underscore Health First’s significant strengths as a nationally recognized center for Orthopedics and Spine excellence, and the facility, which is in the initial design stage, would greatly expand access to care for one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida.

Health First’s orthopedic program delivers advanced, patient-centered musculoskeletal care through a comprehensive network of orthopedic specialists.

Across its four hospitals, the program provides expert care for patients requiring hip, knee, shoulder, spine, and trauma services, supported by a robust robotic surgery program utilizing Intuitive DaVinci, Globus, and Mako systems – enhancing outcomes for tens of thousands of patients over the past 15 years.

Three Health First orthopedic and spine surgeons (Drs. Paul Keller, Brent Stephens, and Scott Miller) in September were named to Newsweek’s list of “America’s Leading Doctors” for 2025. One, Dr. Paul Keller, made the prestigious list for the second straight year.

All orthopedic surgeons within the Health First Medical Group are fellowship-trained and board-certified in their specialty – a key differentiator that requires surgeons to complete residency, pursue additional training in a subspecialty, and pass rigorous exams to become board-certified, demonstrating advanced expertise beyond residency training.

^{Rendering of the proposed Medical Office Building, which would house the Orthopedics & Spine Institute and Same-Day Surgery Center.}

This year, Health First also earned strong recognition from U.S. News & World Report in three orthopedic-related specialties, rated “high performing” in hip fracture, hip replacement, and spinal fusion.

“Health First and the Space Coast are fortunate to call as our own some of America’s best orthopedics and spine surgeons – including our amazing orthopedics and spine trauma surgeon, Dr. Daniel Segina, in the region’s only Level II trauma center at Holmes Regional Medical Center.

“We are grateful to our Board of Directors for approving this next stage of development around our beautiful Viera Hospital campus. As Health First continues to envision and plan for a rapidly growing Viera community, we understand that these services will be in tremendous demand. We are eager to ensure our facilities, services, and specialists are here and ready to meet that demand, and we’re excited to move forward on developing a plan that will not only serve the needs of our patients – but will enhance the value of the Viera community that has become one of the nation’s top relocation destinations.”

The Medical Office Building (MOB) project would include:

• Orthopedic & Spine Same-Day Surgery Center
• Approximately 60,000 sq ft (final size still in design)
• Four ORs, two procedure rooms
• Pre/post-operative bays
• Imaging services
• PT/Rehab services
• Orthopedics and spine office space

Pending final approval, the new Orthopedics and Spine Institute would be constructed on the 50-acre Viera Health Park campus, which sits at the intersection of Lake Andrew Dr., Wickham Rd., and Stadium Pkwy.

Health First, in September, announced Board approval to begin development of a master plan for an ambitious tower expansion of Viera Hospital.

Once finalized, that plan is expected to guide the hospital’s next phase of growth — with the goal of doubling licensed capacity to 214 beds and enhancing access to emergency, surgical, and cardiac care for the growing Central Brevard community.

^{Footprint of the Health First Viera Health Park campus at the intersection of Lake Andrew Dr., Wickham Rd., and Stadium Pkwy.}

Health First will now look to develop a plan to add the following to its current campus:

• 64 new inpatient beds
• 2 operating rooms
• 1 cardiac catheterization lab
• Doubled emergency department capacity
• 10-bed Clinical Decision Unit (CDU)
• Expanded imaging and support areas

Shelled space for up to 32 additional inpatient beds, two operating rooms, one catheterization lab, and support space.

“While that growth continues as expected, the recent closure of Orlando Health’s Rockledge Hospital now affords us the opportunity to accelerate those plans as we meet the needs of our community. This master plan ensures we can thoughtfully and responsibly prepare for our community’s healthcare needs. We are deeply grateful to our physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and partners whose hard work and dedication continue to make Viera Hospital an exceptional place of care for our community.”

Currently, Viera Hospital operates 98 licensed beds, including the 14 new labor and delivery beds opened in 2024.

In the immediate term, Viera Hospital will roll out a series of ambitious projects over the next 18 months to expand access, reduce wait times, and deliver more specialized care.

After the 2024 opening of the Labor and Delivery unit, half of the hospital’s fifth floor is now primed for immediate expansion and usage. Construction on the new inpatient unit, adding up to 20 additional beds, is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Once open, the added capacity will help ease pressure on the emergency department, where patients have at times faced delays waiting for inpatient beds.

“We’ve been waiting for the right time and purpose for that space, and now we’re moving forward with construction to add at least 20 inpatient beds,” said Mike Mullowney, president, Health First Hospital Division.

“Given the growth in our Mother/Baby services, we’re also designating four of those beds to support that program – allowing us to continue meeting the needs of our community as well as the continued demand in women’s health.”

Viera Hospital in August earned its third consecutive 5-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It is the only 5-Star hospital in Brevard County and one of just 10 hospitals statewide to receive the distinction in 2025.

Health First is also advancing expansion projects across Brevard County, including:

Palm Bay Hospital: Planning for a five-floor patient tower that will increase capacity by 60 beds, with completion targeted for 2028.

Cape Canaveral Hospital: A replacement hospital and medical office complex on Merritt Island, scheduled to open in early 2027.

Free-Standing Emergency Rooms: New facilities in Rockledge and Palm Bay are in the planning stages.

Viera Hospital Ongoing Projects:

Over the next 18 months, Viera Hospital will roll out a series of ambitious projects designed to expand access, reduce wait times, and deliver more specialized care – from maternity and cardiology – to gastrointestinal and surgical services.

After the 2024 opening of the Labor and Delivery unit, half of the hospital’s fifth floor is primed for expansion and usage.

• Viera Hospital is moving forward with construction to add at least 20 inpatient beds. Given the growth in our Mother/Baby services, we’re also designating four of those beds to support that program – allowing us to continue meeting the needs of our community as well as the continued demand in women’s health.

   

  • Construction on the new inpatient unit is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Once open, the added capacity will help ease pressure on the emergency department, where patients have at times faced delays waiting for inpatient beds.

• To further support maternal care, Viera Hospital has officially launched an OB Hospitalist Program this past July, providing 24/7 in-hospital physician coverage for obstetric emergencies — a significant upgrade in responsiveness and continuity of care.

   

  • Viera Hospital has seen explosive growth in the Mother/Baby unit, which opened in August 2024, with greater than 30% more deliveries than we had previously at Cape Canaveral Hospital.
  • The OB Hospitalist Program will allow in-house physicians to manage emergencies as they happen. This will allow Viera to triage every patient immediately, handle urgent needs on the spot, and focus on the quality and safety of the program — giving our community timely care they can rely on.”
• Beyond maternal care, Viera Hospital is also addressing growth in other key service areas. To meet increasing surgical demand, the hospital is expanding its operating suite with two additional rooms.
• Viera currently has six operating rooms, and Health First is adding two more for a total of eight that will be completed and estimated in December of 2025.
• Gastroenterology services are also expanding with the opening of a newly built endoscopy suite this past July. The upgraded space features three procedure rooms and is designed to support both elective and inpatient GI care. The added GI space is essential to keeping up with the growing volume of both elective and inpatient procedures.
• Cardiac care is also entering a new chapter at Viera with the introduction of advanced heart rhythm services — a major step forward for local patients. We are upgrading all of our equipment to be able to offer electrophysiology procedures, which opened in September.
• Finally, enhanced imaging capabilities are also planned. A state-of-the-art CT scanner will be installed at the nearby Viera Medical Plaza by March 2026, expanding outpatient access while freeing up in-hospital imaging for emergency and inpatient needs.