Client News: Adventist Health System and Florida Hospital Close Deal with Bert Fish Medical Center

Source: Adventist Health System Press Release - 6/30/2010

Officials of Bert Fish Medical Center and Adventist Health System have finalized the agreement today to officially be a part of Florida Hospital.

"The Board of Bert Fish, along with our employees and medical staff, are excited for the future with Florida Hospital," said Bob Williams, CEO of Bert Fish Medical Center. "And we are pleased to see this agreement come to fruition."

Areas of expected focus include the facility’s cancer center, various capital improvement projects, and an analysis of specific health care services still needed within the community.

The agreement provides several benefits to Bert Fish Medical Center and SE Volusia residents by reducing taxes for residents and infusing the facility with funds for capital and service improvements, as well as loan repayment. Additionally, Florida Hospital is a nonprofit organization deeply committed to the communities it serves, dedicated to both disease education and prevention and providing care for those in financial need.

“We’re committed to the SE Volusia community and believe this will be a great partnership,” said Michael Schultz, president and CEO, Adventist Health System Florida Region. “Our priority is to enhance the continuum of care available to residents and will continue to collaborate with the board, focusing our energies on the areas of greatest impact.”

“Our organization follows through on our commitments,” said Daryl Tol, Volusia/Flagler Market CEO. “If you review our history in Volusia and Flagler counties, you’ll see a track record of focused stewardship, from the openings of the Florida Hospital Flagler campus and Memorial Medical Center, and now our partnership with Bert Fish.”

About Adventist Health System
Adventist Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare organization that emphasizes Christ at the center of care. Founded in 1973, Adventist Health System has quickly grown to become the largest not-for-profit Protestant healthcare provider in the nation. Today, Adventist Health System supports 38 hospitals, including the 18 Florida Hospitals with 6 located in the Volusia/Flagler Region, and employs more than 50,000 individuals. Adventist Health System hospitals are comprised of 6,600 plus licensed beds, providing care for 4 million patients each year in inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits.