PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. January 22, 2026 - The Palm Beach Gardens City Council has approved plans for a new, $18 million freestanding emergency room in the rapidly growing Avenir community, expanding access to lifesaving emergency care for residents in northern Palm Beach County.

The 12-bay, 24/7 emergency room will be located near the corner of Coconut Boulevard and Northlake Boulevard and will be staffed around the clock by board-certified emergency physicians, experienced nurses, and support staff. Designed to bring hospital-level emergency care closer to home, the facility will feature advanced diagnostic capabilities, including CT imaging, ultrasound, X-ray, and on-site laboratory services.

Affiliated with Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and part of Palm Beach Health Network, the freestanding emergency room will ensure seamless continuity of care. Patients requiring hospital admission will be transferred directly to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, with close coordination alongside Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue.

“This approval represents a significant investment in the health and safety of our community,” said Erik Cazares, CEO of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “As Palm Beach Gardens continues to grow, it’s critical that emergency services grow with it. This freestanding emergency room will bring high-quality, hospital-based emergency care closer to residents, reduce travel times, and help ensure faster access to treatment when every second matters.”

Freestanding emergency rooms are designed to offer shorter wait times and quicker treatment compared to traditional hospital emergency departments, while delivering the same level of emergency medical expertise and advanced technology.

Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026.

About Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center (PBGMC), part of the Palm Beach Health Network, the largest health care network in Palm Beach County, is a 199-bed acute care hospital.  It has served the Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast communities for over 50 years. The hospital was the first in Palm Beach County to perform open-heart surgery and has remained on the forefront as one of the area’s leaders in cardiac care. PBGMC also offers award winning stroke care, neurosurgery, urology, orthopedics, robot assisted and minimally invasive surgical techniques, bloodless medicine and a 24-hour emergency room. For more information, visit: www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.