Orlando Health says it’s a ‘new day’ for former Steward hospitals in Brevard and Sebastian

With Orlando’s Health’s acquisition of three local hospitals from Steward Health Care, officials are hoping for a new beginning for the facilities that will live up to their new names, including expanded services and physical upgrades.

Orlando Health on Thursday completed a $439 million deal to acquire the 119-bed Melbourne Regional Medical Centre. the 298-bed Rockledge Regional Medical Center and the 178-bed Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian. The deal also includes related physician practices.

The acquisitions are the result of an asset purchase agreement with Steward Health Care that was approved by the bankruptcy court judge presiding over Steward’s current bankruptcy case.

Orlando Health has immediately renamed the former Steward hospitals to Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital and Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital.

What awaits the objects

“These acquisitions usher in a new day in health care for residents of these communities,” said Ome Entin, senior vice president of Orlando Health’s Eastern Region, who will oversee the three hospitals. “History has shown that when Orlando Health expands into new communities, the quality of care improves and the communities benefit.”

Entin said this also includes improving access to health care and providing “a level of care that people know and trust.”

“We are excited to replicate this success with these communities in Brevard and Indian River counties,” Entin said.

Entin said it was too early to discuss details. She said Orlando Health is working with doctors, other staff, community leaders, patients and others to help determine the path forward. This includes identifying what is working well and where there are gaps or opportunities for improvement.

“This is day one,” Entin said while attending a celebration with Rockledge Hospital staff Thursday, one of three similar events held that day at Orlando Health’s newly acquired hospitals. “First we have to listen. And then, once we figure out where the gaps are and where we need to do work, we’ll gear up and deploy every resource that we have to meet the unique needs of that community. “

Entin said Orlando Health is a trusted brand and he is “excited to join Space Coast.”

She noted that expansion of services is likely with the arrival of new hospital owners. In addition, Orlando Health has provided money for facility upgrades.

The company promises an active presence in the community

Entin said Orlando Health will also have a “much stronger presence in the community” with its acquisitions in Brevard and Indian River counties.

“We’re going to come and be involved in the community,” Entin said. “We don’t just come in and take care of patients inside (hospitals). We care about the community as a whole.”

Entin said Orlando Health plans to retain former employees of Steward’s hospitals – 852 in Rockledge, 428 in Sebastian and 416 in Melbourne.

“New chapter” of healthcare

Jonette Gindling, President and CEO of the Space Coast Health Foundation said, “I am excited to see the new chapter of Orlando Health begin in Brevard. This is good news for our community. This helps ensure health care stability on the Space Coast.” and the foundation looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Orlando Health, as well as our other healthcare providers in the future.”

The Space Coast Health Fund was founded with proceeds from the 2010 sale of the former Wuesthoff Health System, including hospitals in Melbourne and Rockledge, to Health Management Associates Inc.

In 2017, Steward acquired three hospitals that it just sold to Orlando Health.

Rockledge Hospital was founded in 1941, Sebastian Hospital in 1974 and Melbourne Hospital in 2002. All of them have undergone expansions and additions. For example, Rockledge Hospital originally had 10 beds and now has 298.

“We are thrilled to bring Orlando Health to our community,” said Rockledge City Manager Brenda Fettrow, adding that she is looking forward to the upgrades at Rockledge Hospital.

Rockledge City Councilman Frank Forester said at Rockledge Hospital, “The staff, doctors and everyone were exceptional. funds as equivalent to personnel.”

Orlando Dominguez, Brevard County Fire Rescue’s deputy chief of emergency medical services, sees many positives in Orlando Health entering the local hospital sector.

Dominguez expects Orlando Health will be able to offer more specialized services and physician practitioners locally.

“Any time we have an opportunity to expand affordable specialty health care services in Brevard County, we welcome the situation,” Dominguez said.

One of three hospital companies

Entin said Orlando Health has received “overwhelmingly positive” initial feedback from employees and community members about its local acquisitions.

Orlando Health will become one of the three largest hospital companies serving Brevard County.

The largest of these is Health First, which includes health plans, a multi-specialty medical group, and outpatient and wellness services, as well as four hospitals—Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, and Palm Hospital. Bay and Viera Hospital. Altamonte Springs-based AdventHealth owns a 27% stake in Health First in a $350 million deal that took effect in January 2020.

Another major player in the healthcare industry is Titusville-based Parrish Healthcare, which operates Parrish Medical Center in Titusville; Parrish Medical Group; and Parrish Health Network, a coalition of health care providers, insurers and others.

This is Orlando Health’s second major acquisition this month. On Oct. 1, Orlando Health acquired a majority stake in Brookwood Baptist Health in Birmingham, Alabama, from Tenet Healthcare in partnership with Baptist Health System. Orlando Health will manage the day-to-day operations of the system, which includes five hospitals. Orlando Health operates medical centers and institutes; public and specialized hospitals; medical practice; emergency care facilities; skilled nursing facilities; and home health, long-term and behavioral health services. It is present in Florida, Alabama and Puerto Rico.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Three local Steward hospitals acquired by Orlando Health.