A Florida physician is waiting to hear back from the state about his application to build a 25-bed microhospital near Ave Maria, Fla., according to NBC-2 News.
Beau Braden, DO, the owner and managing physician at Braden Clinic in Ave Maria, told the news outlet he applied for a certificate of need to build a 25-bed hospital and emergency department in the community because the lack of healthcare in the area represents a serious public health emergency. He said the nearest hospital is 30 miles away, a roughly hourlong drive.
"When there's an obvious need and people are suffering, you can't just sit by and let them suffer. Especially as a doctor, you're trained to jump in and help them out," Dr. Braden told NBC-2.
He told the publication he also has several letters of support for his plan, and said he will likely receive an answer from the state regarding his application by June 1, according to the report.