Consistently ranked the No. 1 eye hospital in the country in the “America’s Best Hospitals” annual survey by U.S.News & World Report, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute now offers sight-saving care to an even broader South Florida patient base. The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Palm Beach Gardens—the only academic ophthalmic center serving Palm Beach and Martin Counties—has completed a vast expansion. More than 600 supporters attended the December dedication ceremony, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who shared a personal note of gratitude to the institution.

“I’m the son of a physician, Dr. Charlie Crist Sr., who suffers from macular degeneration,” Governor Crist said. “It has almost been a miracle that, under Dr. Puliafito’s care, my father’s eyesight is becoming better than it was before the disease.”

According to Bascom Palmer chairman Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., the institution made a $4 million investment in surgical, diagnostic, and patient care equipment at the 7.4-acre Palm Beach Gardens campus. The new $22 million facility features the Maltz Center, a 40,000-square-foot patient care medical office building with more than 50 examination rooms, and the Frankino Pavilion at the Bascom Palmer Surgery Center, a 10,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center where physicians can perform retina, cataract, glaucoma, ophthalmic plastic, and reconstructive procedures.