Merger creates large primary-care group

an integrated group of independent physicians, and

an Accountable Care Organization, have joined to form a group of more than 90 primary-care physicians in Central Florida. Integrated physician groups offer physicians shared savings under Medicare and commercial insurances.

“As we increase in size and geographic area, we bring economies of scale to small practices that never had this type of support,” said co-medical director, Dr. Cara Jakob, in a release. The group will operate under the Primary Partners name. with OHPA will enhance our clinical capabilities so that we can continue to meet the growing needs of our patients for years to come.”

in Lake County received preliminary approval from the Agency for Health Care Administration to establish a 12-bed comprehensive medical rehab unit.

officially announced Teledoc as its virtual care partner. Teledoc provides telehealth services to more than 200 hospitals in the country. Nemours and Florida Hospital have developed their own telehealth systems.

broke ground in Winter Garden on Daniels Road south of Florida’s Turnpike for a 12,000-square-foot specialty and primary care facility, which is expected to open in May.

an HCA hospital, is opening an inpatient 28-bed physical rehab center this month as part of its ongoing $50 million expansion and renovation projects. hospitals —

— nabbed Florida’s Top Teaching Hospitals award in The Leapfrog Group’s annual top hospitals award. Also, Orlando Health’s

was named as one of five Top General Hospitals in Florida. plastic and surgeon. and

were named among the four Top Children’s Hospitals in Florida. Nationwide, 109 hospitals were recognized as top hospitals by Leapfrog.

Lakeland Regional Health’s president and CEO was named for the sixth year in a row to Becker’s Hospital Review “183 Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know.” The hospital became an affiliate of Orlando Health this year.

Lakeland Regional Health continues to bring physicians on board. Among them are a child and adolescent psychiatrist;

a family medicine physician; and

,a reconstructive