By HFT Staff

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian earlier this month, forcing several key services to close for renovations. 

The healthcare facility lost a layer of its roof due to high winds, which caused water leaks that impacted certain areas of the building, according to ABC 7. Approximately 160 patients were moved before the hurricane made landfall, and the hospital was forced to suspend services. 

As repairs were made, employees received access to complimentary fuel, laundry services, home supply services and shower trucks, as well as a store stocked with essentials. 

On Oct. 17, Fawcett Hospital re-opened inpatient beds and several key services, including the operating rooms, cardiac catheterization laboratory, interventional radiology, endoscopy and inpatient services including the spine and orthopedics unit. This follows the reopening of emergency services on Oct. 10. 

 “We are moving forward with the phased reopening of the hospital after Hurricane Ian and I want to thank our caregivers for their outstanding efforts over the last several weeks,” said Michael Ehrat, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital chief executive officer. “We are extremely grateful for the courageous frontline caregivers and support teams who continue to make a difference by ensuring we are able to provide compassionate care to this community, which we are so privileged to serve.”