LAKE PLACID, Fla. (Friday, March 27, 2026) — For patients working to regain their strength, mobility and confidence following an injury, surgery or illness, having access to high-quality rehabilitation close to home can make a massive difference. AdventHealth is taking the first steps toward making that care even more accessible by working to build a new sports medicine and rehabilitation space at AdventHealth Lake Placid.
Rehabilitation and therapy play a critical role in recovery, helping patients return to daily activities, reducing complications and avoiding setbacks. Each year, more than 3,000 community members receive care through AdventHealth Lake Placid’s sports medicine and rehabilitation services and that number is expected to double over the next six years as the community grows and ages.
To meet that growing need, the AdventHealth Lake Placid Foundation is beginning a fundraising effort to support the development of a new, expanded therapy space within the hospital. The project represents an important first step toward ensuring patients of all ages have access to comprehensive rehabilitation services in a location that is easy to find and close to home.
“Every step in recovery matters,” said Jason Dunkel, president and CEO of AdventHealth Lake Placid, Sebring and Wauchula. “Whether someone is recovering from a fall, rebuilding strength after surgery or learning how to manage chronic pain, this new space is designed to support patients through every phase of healing and help them get back to the lives they love.”
The planned sports medicine and rehabilitation space will include three dedicated treatment rooms for individualized care, along with a physical therapy gym focused on strength, balance and mobility. The expanded space will also allow therapists to care for more patients, helping reduce wait times and provide timely treatment. As services grow, the new location will create opportunities to introduce additional programs, including lymphedema therapy, pelvic floor therapy and outpatient speech therapy.
Rehabilitation services support patients facing a wide range of needs, including balance and fall prevention, orthopedic conditions, post-surgical recovery, neurological conditions, pain management, cardiopulmonary issues and sports injuries. After completing therapy, patients will have the option to continue their progress through the AdventHealth Lake Placid Wellness Center, where they can maintain physical activity and receive long-term wellness support.
“This is about investing in our neighbors and ensuring they have the support they need to heal,” Dunkel said. “By taking this first step now, we’re helping build a healthier future for Lake Placid.”
Click here to learn more about the AdventHealth Lake Placid Foundation and project. To learn more about care options at AdventHealth Lake Placid, visit AdventHealthLakePlacid.com.
Provided by AdventHealth