Ascension St. Vincent’s is expanding its commitment to accessible, high-quality emergency care with the construction of a new freestanding emergency department (FSED) on Jacksonville’s Southside. The nearly 10,000-square-foot facility will be located at the intersection of Beach and Kernan boulevards.
Ground was broken last month in anticipation of construction, which is slated for completion in the spring of 2026. Ascension St. Vincent’s newest FSED will house nine treatment spaces, a critical care room, triage area, and advanced imaging technologies like CT and X-ray, aiming to serve over 16,000 patients in Jacksonville’s Southside annually.
The emergency care facility will be operated by Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside. In the event a patient needs emergency care on the main campus, St. Vincent’s can coordinate transportation and schedule follow-up appointments with their network of providers.
“Ascension St. Vincent’s continues to demonstrate its dedication to expanding access to care with the upcoming freestanding emergency department on Jacksonville’s Southside,” says Kevin Rinks, President and CEO, St. Vincent’s Southside. “This strategic investment is more than just a new facility, it represents a deeper commitment to meeting people where they are.”
With round-the-clock emergency care and a highly trained medical team, the new FSED will ensure that residents in the growing Southside community won’t have to travel far in times of crisis.
This development addresses the anticipated population growth in the Southside area, ensuring timely emergency care for the community. Staffed by over 40 healthcare professionals, the ER will operate 24/7, providing immediate care for conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, trauma, and severe illnesses.
The new facility complements Ascension St. Vincent’s existing network, which includes the Southside Hospital at 4201 Belfort Road, a full-service, 309-bed hospital offering advanced specialty care and 24/7 emergency services. Additionally, freestanding ERs in Arlington, Westside, and Middleburg extend emergency care access across Northeast Florida.
The forthcoming Southside freestanding ER exemplifies Ascension St. Vincent’s mission to provide compassionate, accessible healthcare, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of community health in Jacksonville and beyond.
As Jacksonville’s population continues to expand, Ascension St. Vincent’s is proactively building a stronger, more responsive network of care. From hospital campuses to mobile outreach vans, the organization is bridging gaps in access and delivering high-quality healthcare with compassion and dignity—no matter where people live.
When you choose Ascension St. Vincent’s, you'll find all the care you need, doctors who listen, convenience and care that's connected. When you need care right away, emergency care is close to home. ER care teams at Ascension St. Vincent’s are here 24/7 for life-threatening and severe illness and injury. When it’s not an emergency, but you still need to be seen right away, you’ll get the same level of compassionate care in our urgent care clinics or during a doctor’s visit in-person or online.
Learn more about our emergency care services or find an ER near you.
