Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH) officially cut the ribbon at its newest addition to its network of care, the Manatee ER at Palma Sola. On Thursday, October 3, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, flanked by Florida State Senator Jim Boyd, former State Representative and current State College of Florida President, Tommy Gregory; Manatee Memorial Board Chair, Hugh Miller and new Manatee Memorial CEO Andy Guz joined together to celebrate the community’s newest access point to emergency health services. In her address, Lt. Governor Nunez commented on the importance of families to have proximal access to high quality care for all ages, like the Manatee ER at Palma Sola, because in an emergency minutes matter and seconds count. The beach-themed event included remarks from Ward One Bradenton City Councilwoman Jayne Kocher and Ward Two Councilwoman and Vice Mayor, Marianne Barneby, who reminded the standing-room-only crowd that she was born at Manatee Memorial as well. Over one hundred guests were treated to refreshments from Kona Ice, guided tours of the ER and a swag bag of commemorative gifts. Located at 633 75th Street West in Bradenton, just off the Palma Sola Causeway, the new Manatee ER at Palma Sola will provide first responders and community residents alike convenient access to emergency care. This will be especially timely to support the medical needs associated with the recovery efforts on our barrier islands from the impact of Hurricane Helene that devastated the coastline on September 26. When it opens later in October, the Manatee ER at Palma Sola will provide access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide care for all ages. The 10,884 square ft. facility includes six exam rooms, three rapid medical spaces and full-services laboratory, x-ray and ultrasound areas. This will mark Manatee Memorial’s second freestanding ER in Manatee County, after opening the Manatee ER at Bayshore Gardens in April of 2023, and its third overall with the ER at Sun City that opened in 2022.