Orange Park Medical Center not closing the ER

"The Emergency Department at Orange Park Medical Center continues to be open and ready to serve the community’s emergency patients," said Kathy Hester, Orange Park Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer. Those in need of emergency care are encouraged to seek treatment immediately at our facility. Our emergency department is staffed 24-hours-a-day with an experienced team of healthcare professionals who are prepared to handle emergency situations.

Hester continued, "last week’s disappointing decision by the Florida Department of Health only affected the trauma operations at Orange Park Medical Center, not our emergency department." Emergency rooms treat ill and injured patients, while trauma centers treat those with the most severe, life threatening injuries like those suffered in car accidents, gunshot wounds, or drowning."

Orange Park Medical Center is planning to appeal the Department of Health’s decision. "Our resolve to work with the Department to reinstate our trauma center remains our priority because as we know, a trauma patient’s best chance of survival is being treated within the first 60 minutes of injury. We are grateful by the overwhelming show of support from the community and are committed to providing quality accessible health care for Clay County residents and our visitors," said Tom Pentz, Orange Park Medical Center CEO.