Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital honored President Brian Wetzel this week in recognition of his 30 years of service with the Orlando Health system. Team members gathered to honor Wetzel, who joined Orlando Health on January 8, 1996, recognizing three decades of leadership, service, and commitment to patient-centered care.
“Brian is an exceptional leader whose heart is truly woven into the St. Cloud community,” said Philip Koovakada, senior vice president of Orlando Health’s South Florida Region, which includes Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital. “For 30 years, his dedication to compassionate, high-quality healthcare has strengthened our organization and positively impacted the lives of many patients, families, and team members.”
Wetzel became president of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital in July 2022, following his tenure as president of Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital. Throughout his career, he has held numerous leadership roles across the Orlando Health system, contributing to major operational, planning, and expansion initiatives.
His experience includes leadership responsibilities with Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, the Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute, and the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. Wetzel also played a key role in the $320 million renovation and redesign of Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, overseeing major ancillary and facility planning efforts while maintaining his administrative duties.
In addition, he led the development and opening of Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital, helping guide one of the region’s most significant healthcare expansion projects.
Now serving the St. Cloud community, Wetzel continues to focus on strengthening access to care, advancing quality outcomes, and supporting the hospital’s mission of serving patients and families with compassion and excellence.
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital is preparing to expand its ability to care for patients with a two-story, approximately 20,000-square-foot expansion at the northwest corner of the hospital set to open in January. The expansion includes two state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory procedure rooms and a new 10-bed intensive care unit, significantly enhancing both capacity and advanced care services. The new ICU, located on the second floor, will replace the existing unit and feature expansive, modern rooms designed for critically ill patients, supported by specialized critical care and pulmonology physicians. On the first floor, the new cardiac catheterization labs will feature the latest technology to reduce radiation exposure while allowing cardiologists to quickly diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions, including restoring blood flow during suspected heart attacks—bringing advanced, lifesaving care closer to home for the St. Cloud community.
