Just four years after opening, the Brownwood Freestanding ER has already expanded, backed by patients happy with short wait times and quality, compassionate care. 

Twelve new beds opened Feb. 6, increasing the facility’s capacity to more than 90 patients a day. Brownwood ranks extremely high on patient satisfaction surveys. 

Before the expansion, the Brownwood Freestanding ER saw an average of 70 patients daily from The Villages and surrounding communities like Wildwood, Bushnell, Oxford and Coleman. About 10% of the ER’s patients require hospital admission. 

“Some of our patients come from as far away as Webster because we are their closest emergency room. Others drive a little farther past other emergency facilities because they appreciate the quality of care we provide,” said Linda Cason, associate vice president of emergency services at UF Health Central Florida. 

Since opening in 2020, the Brownwood ER has seen approximately 35% growth in patients served each year. The 12-bed expansion completed this week increases their capacity to at least 90 patients per day. 

“The expansion allows us to continue to provide high-quality health care, meeting the growing needs of the community,” Cason says. “The Brownwood ER is typically in the top 5% for patient satisfaction compared to emergency rooms across the country.” 

Dr. Hillary Stricklen, Brownwood’s medical director, said the ER staff takes pride in patient care. 

“There is nothing more fulfilling than hearing back from patients whose lives were positively impacted by the care we provided,” she said. 

Cason noted that patients love the standalone ER’s efficiency. 

Patients who don’t require hospital admission spend an average of just two hours in the ER, well below the national average, she said. 

“It’s so fulfilling to help patients through what are sometimes the worst moments of their lives, so they can have the best possible chance at getting back on the road to recovery,” Cason said. “To us it’s not just our job, it’s our calling.”

About UF Health Central Florida 

UF Health Central Florida is an award-winning, not-for-profit health care system and the largest, most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. We care for patients in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties through inpatient acute hospital services at UF Health The Villages® Hospital and UF Health Leesburg Hospital, inpatient rehabilitation services at UF Health The Villages® Rehabilitation Hospital, 24/7 emergency care at UF Health The Villages® Hospital Freestanding E.R. at Brownwood and diagnostic laboratory services at several locations. As a premier health care provider, UF Health Central Florida takes pride in providing progressive, innovative technology, along with building strong relationships with patients, families, physicians and residents of the communities we serve. Visit https://www.centralflorida.UFHealth.org/ to learn more.