VHB joined officials from Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Florida Englewood Hospital on May 19, 2026, to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a newly completed helipad, a critical upgrade that strengthens the hospital's ability to rapidly receive and transfer patients during emergencies. VHB supported the project from start to finish, providing heliport design, permitting support, and construction administration services to help bring the facility safely online.
HCA Florida Englewood Hospital provides 24/7 emergency care, cardiovascular care, stroke care, and surgical services. Serving a coastal region where travel time to higher-level trauma and specialty hospitals can be significant, the hospital’s new helipad strengthens its ability to quickly transport critically ill or injured patients, particularly for time-sensitive emergencies like stroke, trauma, and cardiac events.
"Helipad design plays a direct role in emergency response, and that responsibility shapes every decision we make," said Marisa Blackwood, VHB Project Manager. "We are balancing aviation requirements, hospital operations, and regulatory coordination all at once. When those pieces come together, the result is a facility that supports patients and caregivers when it matters most."
VHB's helipad practice continues to grow alongside advances in aviation technology. Drawing on recent project experience across the East Coast, the team has strong capabilities in FAA coordination, airspace studies, and multi-agency permitting. VHB is also designing facilities with the future in mind, accommodating larger aircraft and supporting the potential transition to vertiports for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles as advanced air mobility technology continues to evolve.
Learn how VHB is shaping the future of aviation infrastructure.
