Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside to receive nearly $53 million for hurricane resiliency improvements

Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside will receive nearly $53 million in federal funding to strengthen the hospital against hurricane-force winds, supporting efforts to protect access to care and reimagine a campus that has served Northeast Florida for more than a century.

The funding was announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of $317 million in post-disaster funding approved for projects across Florida. The nearly $53 million designated for St. Vincent's Riverside will support improvements to the hospital's roof, walls, exterior windows and other critical building components.

"For more than 100 years, families across Jacksonville have relied on Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside for care, including during hurricanes and other emergencies," said Andrew Gnann, president and CEO, Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside. "This investment will help us strengthen the hospital against severe weather while continuing to ensure we remain ready to serve the needs of our community for decades to come."

Hospitals are a critical part of a community's emergency response infrastructure. Strengthening the Riverside campus against high winds will help protect care operations and reduce the risk of disruption at times when patients and families may need care most.

"This nearly $53 million investment will have a direct impact on the resilience of healthcare in Northeast Florida," said Scott Kashman, CEO, Ascension St. Vincent's Health System. "Protecting access to care and investing in the future of our facilities are all part of our responsibility to the communities we serve. This funding will help ensure Riverside remains a strong and reliable healthcare resource for generations to come."

The funding is being awarded through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which supports projects designed to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. Eligible projects include strengthening buildings, protecting infrastructure from flooding and high winds, improving emergency power systems, and making other improvements that increase community resilience.

To learn more about St. Vincent's Riverside, visit Ascension.org/RiversideJax.