Lakeland Regional Health completed a new Freestanding Emergency Department (FSED) in South Lakeland, which opened in March of 2025. The FSED represents a major investment in expanding access to emergency medical care for the region’s rapidly growing population. The single story, 25,000 SF facility was conceived to provide 24/7 treatment for both adult and pediatric patients. The facility’s full suite of emergency radiology capabilities—CT, X ray, and ultrasound—are paired with an on site laboratory to support timely diagnostics, all designed to alleviate demand on one of the nation’s busiest emergency departments.

 

In addition to enhancing care capacity, the new FSED strengthens Lakeland Regional Health's ability to bring high quality emergency medicine closer to residents in southern Lakeland, reducing travel times and improving community access. The facility’s connection to the main medical center—just minutes away—allows patients requiring admission or specialized care to be transported at no additional cost, ensuring continuity between sites.

 

Osborn Engineering provided full Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Technology Engineering services for the design assist project. From conceptual design through project closeout, Osborn’s team collaborated closely with the architect and Construction Manager (CM) to ensure the most cost effective and performance driven system selections. This included determining optimal equipment placement—both within the building and on the roof—to support the facility’s stringent operational needs. The design assist delivery approach allowed the engineering team to remain deeply involved throughout preconstruction, including early subcontractor bid reviews and coordination to maintain alignment with schedule, budget, and performance goals.