CLERMONT, Fla. — Orlando Health South Lake Hospital officially opened their new patient tower. The new five-story tower is an extension of the current South Lake Hospital, doubling the bed count and offering new services like the Orlando Health Women’s Institute.

This is just one of many of their initiatives expanding into rural and growing areas within Central Florida. This is hoping to bridge the gap by accessing medical resources in places like Lake and Sumter Counties.

It’s something as regular as going to the doctor. Clermont resident, Karina Martin, has lived in Central Florida for decades. And she’s seen it grow.

“There’s all types of new different opportunities coming to this area,” said Karina Martin.

Those opportunities are part of the reason she wanted to raise her family in Clermont. But with a growing community comes some drawbacks.

“My second daughter was born here in South Lake. I thought the care was exceptional, but it was missing the NICU and some important things to think about when you’re having a baby,” said Martin.

Martin was also a high-risk patient, which meant extra care and extra doctors. Many times having to drive into Orange County to receive that care. But that’s all in the past. Orlando Health South Lake Hospital opened their new patient tower with a new women’s institute.

“A lot of the time we think of healthcare as time is muscle or time is of the essence and really it’s about meeting that need here in our community,” said Lance Sewell, President of South Lake Hospital.

For Martin, being 10 minutes down the road from Orlando Health South Lake Hospital, the new resources aren’t just about convenience, it’s offering lifesaving medical facilities to an area that previously didn’t have one close by.