Emergency medical services expanding footprint in Venice

VENICE, Fla. - Venice residents will soon have more options when it comes to emergency care.

"I think the secret is out. Everybody knows about Venice, everybody wants to come to Venice," said Venice Mayor Nick Pachota.

Pachota heard one repeated question from residents after Shore Point Health Venice and Punta Gorda hospitals closed their doors two years ago.

HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is adding a new freestanding emergency room in Venice, opening in the spring of 2025.

"What are we going to do with health care? How will we get health care closer to residents on the island?" said Pachota.

One solution will be an HCA Florida Venice Doctor’s Emergency, a freestanding emergency room off of U.S. 41 Bypass South in Venice.

The $16.3 million facility will bring 11 treatment rooms, including a dedicated space for EMS and trauma patients.

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The freestanding ER should be open by the spring.

"If someone has severe respiratory illness, chest pains or a heart attack, getting them in front of a provider as quickly as possible will save minutes of crucial time," said Dr. Nick Fusco, the Medical Director for Emergency Services with HCA Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

Some residents were taking ambulances or driving themselves nearly an hour away from home to get care.

"It’s important to have options and choices and different access points. You could be five minutes, or you could be 30 minutes away from the closet ER," said Joe Rudisill, the Chief Executive Officer for HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice just expanded their South County ER to meet demand.

HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is adding a new freestanding emergency room in Venice, opening in the spring of 2025.

The expansion cost $90 million and will include upgraded imaging facilities, a third CT scanner and two more resuscitation suites.

"This is 30,000 additional square feet to really spread out and take care of our patients and our 61 beds. They don’t have to leave their community now to get emergency care, which is important," said Julie Polaszek, the Chief Nursing Officer for Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Venice campus.

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As growth continues, the dynamics of Venice are changing and options for care are needed.

"Really, Venice is not a sleepy retirement community anymore. We are seeing more young families moving in, and it’s expanding well into the eastern side of Sarasota County," said Polaszek.

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