West Orange Memorial Hospital history

In April 1951, a charter was granted for a non-profit corporation called the Winter Park Memorial Hospital Association.

The West Orange Healthcare District’s first priority was to build and open West Orange Memorial Hospital in 1952, a 41-bed facility on North Dillard Street in Winter Garden.

Lucerne General opened in July 1974.

It became Brookwood Community Hospital when the Catholic order sold it in June 1978 to a limited partnership that was partly controlled by local physicians.

The company began a three-year, $20 million expansion and remodeling project in 1985.

An outpatient diagnostic center opened in 1988, followed two years later by a wellness center and a facility for cancer radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Finally, in 1993, the District opened a new integrated hospital and medical office complex in Ocoee: Health Central Hospital.

Instead, it utilizes proceeds and investment earnings to fund grants to organizations in west Orange County who are fulfilling the mission of the District. It’s important to note that while initially established with taxing authority, the Legislature eliminated taxing capabilities in 2000 and, unlike other independent special healthcare districts, the District does not currently levy any taxes to residents.

In 2012, the District entered into an agreement to sell its physical assets to Orlando Health in exchange for $181 million plus interest over 15 years.