Jupiter Medical Center, Nuvista Living announce joint venture to advance future of healthcare in Palm Beach County. $70 million project to generate 150 permanent new jobs.

Rendering of the Institute for Healthy Living.

Advancing the future of health-care delivery in Palm Beach County, Jupiter Medical Center and NuVista Living announced on August 18, 2011 a joint venture making the medical center a partner in NuVista’s Institute for Healthy Living, Life Science and Research (NIHL).  The NIHL is a continuing care senior community under development in Abacoa, located in Jupiter, Florida.

John Couris, Jupiter Medical Center CEO and Paul Walczak, CEO and principal of NuVista Living

The agreement was announced by John Couris, CEO of Jupiter Medical Center and Paul Walczak, CEO and a principal of NuVista Living, which is the Institute’s owner and developer.

The new Institute, a $70 million project anticipated to open in the spring of 2013, will have a positive economic impact for northern Palm Beach County, both during construction and long-term, according to Walczak. Plans call for 150 net new permanent jobs out of a total workforce of 200 positions.  At completion, the Institute is projected to generate a net annually recurring economic impact of $20 million rippling throughout the community.

The new community’s design, cutting-edge technology and systems will focus on enhancing patients’ quality of life while improving care outcomes.  By expanding Jupiter Medical Center’s and NuVista Living’s existing relationships with Scripps Florida and Florida Atlantic University, the Institute will foster collaboration in care, education and research.

In addition to 129 nursing home beds, the new Institute, slated to open in 2013, will include a dedicated 70-bed Assisted Living facility and a 30-bed facility dedicated for residents with Alzheimer’s and other memory disorders.  Jupiter Medical Center does not now provide care in the two latter specialized areas. The medical center does currently provide long-term nursing care and rehabilitation at its 120-bed Pavilion facility.

Through the joint venture, Jupiter Medical Center will transfer the Certificate of Need for 60 long-term nursing care beds at The Pavilion to the Institute for Healthy Living, Life Science and Research for the new Abacoa facility and the Institute’s future use, Couris said. Meeting long-term care needs through the Institute will enable the medical center to transition the Pavilion to provide only rehabilitation services that are tied to specific clinical service lines.  Jupiter Medical Center will continue to own and operate the Pavilion as a rehabilitation center, with 60 private rooms. The 35-year old facility will undergo a renovation.

With a two-year window, Couris said, there is ample time for a smooth transition for current long-term residents at the Pavilion who will be affected by the plans.