On Wednesday, August 27, Watson Clinic hosted a special Topping Off Ceremony on the construction site of their sprawling new medical campus in south Lakeland. The ceremony marks a tradition in the world of construction as it celebrates the placement of the final beam at the highest point of a structure. In this instance, the Clinic proudly celebrated two new structures, which are both scheduled to open in the Summer of 2026.
Located at 4060 Lakeland Highlands Road, Watson Clinic Parkway Medical Center is a four-story, 80,000-square-foot facility housing some of the Clinic’s most popular specialties, including Urology, Orthopaedic Surgery, General Surgery, OB-GYN and many others. Patients will also benefit from on-site imaging and laboratory capabilities, and other features designed for operational efficiency and patient comfort. The second new facility, located at 4050 Lakeland Highlands Road, will be named Watson Clinic Surgery Center South. This 30,000-square-foot facility will offer convenient outpatient surgical procedures for patients who don’t require an overnight stay. Both facilities will be steps away from the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, completing a medical campus designed to serve a patient’s every medical need.
Watson Clinic Parkway Medical Center and Watson Clinic Surgery Center South will be operated exclusively by Watson Clinic, much like their additional 20 locations across Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, while the hospital is a joint collaboration between Watson Clinic and Orlando Health.
“This campus delivers flexibility to both our patients and our medical teams,” Chief Executive Officer Jason Hirsbrunner explained from the podium to the attending crowd. “You can schedule your regular doctor’s appointments at the Watson Clinic Parkway Medical Center, outpatient surgical procedures can be performed at our Watson Clinic Surgery Center South facility, and longer inpatient stays can take place at the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital.”
Conveniently situated directly off the Polk Parkway, the campus will be easily accessible to patients across every corner of Polk County and beyond. To keep up-to-date on the campus, stay connected to Watson Clinic’s social media platforms or visit WatsonClinic.com/NewCampus.
Pictured (left to right): Watson Clinic Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Pacatte, Watson Clinic Chief Executive Officer Jason Hirsbrunner, Watson Clinic President, Chair and Managing Partner William Roth, MD, PhD, and Watson Clinic Chief Financial Officer Keith Pernicano.