Flagler Health+, UF Health reach agreement

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (May 16, 2023) — Flagler Health+ and the University of Florida's academic health center, UF Health, have reached a definitive agreement designed to bring innovative, high-quality, leading-edge care to the region.

The organizations anticipate formally closing on the deal this summer and will then begin integrating Flagler Health+ into UF Health later this year.

In February, the Flagler Health+ Board of Trustees and leadership team selected UF Health as the like-minded organization it wanted to move forward with to enhance local health care services and expand access to care in the community.

"UF Health is uniquely positioned to bring much-needed top-flight service to Northeast Florida and to ensure that all of the region's residents have access to the very best health care available," said UF President Ben Sasse. "Florida's population growth is remarkable, and Flagler and St. Johns are among the state's 10 fastest-growing counties. This agreement builds on Flagler's long tradition of caring for the community and positions UF to offer the latest breakthroughs in pursuit of ensuring Floridians can enjoy the quality of life they deserve."

David R. Nelson, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health, said this is an exciting time for UF Health.

"Throughout our discussions, a constant has been the desire to deliver outstanding health care to the people in the area," Nelson said. "UF Health will bring its unique capabilities as an academic health system, with technologically advanced care focused on world-class outcomes, research opportunities including clinical trials, and training programs for the next generation of care providers, to build upon the Flagler Health+ legacy of meeting the health care needs of the residents of Flagler, St. Johns, Putnam, Clay and Duval counties."

Flagler Health+ explored options from some of the most respected health care organizations in the country, with a specific focus on:

Flagler Health+ CEO Carlton DeVooght said the future looks bright.

"At the time we made our initial selection, we were confident that UF Health matched our longstanding commitment to our community and our dedication to our team members, providers and patients," DeVooght said. "Our discussions in reaching this definitive agreement have cemented our initial impressions. We look forward to joining the UF Health family."

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY

Flagler Health+ and UF Health have reached a final agreement to integrate Flagler Health+ into UF Health. Flagler Health+'s priority continues to be providing exceptional care to patients, and patients can continue to see their current doctors and access the services they always have.

Visit FlaglerHealthForward.org to learn more, review frequently asked questions or submit a question of your own.

About Flagler Health+

Flagler Health+ is a total care enterprise aimed at advancing the physical, social and economic health of Northeast Florida communities. From serving as the lead agency for St. Johns County's Continuum of Care to end homelessness to bringing a new concept in health villages throughout the region, Flagler Health+ is your caring partner throughout the journey of life. Flagler Health+ is an extension of Flagler Hospital, which has a 130-year legacy of caring for the community. The 335-bed hospital has been named among America's 50 Best hospitals out of nearly 4,500 nationwide. Flagler Hospital has also earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for primary stroke care centers, national accreditation for its total hip and total knee replacement programs, accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, and Center of Excellence designation for its bariatric surgery center.

About UF Health

University of Florida Health, part of one of the nation's top 5 public research universities, is a world-class academic health center that combines leading-edge research at campuses around Florida with outstanding clinical care at a network of hospitals around the state. The flagship is UF Health Shands Hospital, with 10 adult and pediatric specialties ranked among the nation's elite top 50 programs in the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Best Children's Hospitals surveys. That's more than any other hospital in Florida. UF Health consists of six health colleges, 10 research centers and institutes, 10 hospitals — including two teaching hospitals and five specialty hospitals — three veterinary hospitals, and a host of physician medical practices and outpatient services.

The backbone of UF Health is a talented and dedicated workforce of more than 29,000 faculty and staff who provide lifesaving care and research breakthroughs for more than 3 million patients who come to UF Health each year from around the U.S. and more than 31 countries. UF Health is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities as part of the state's "safety-net’’ hospital system, caring for people who have little or no medical coverage. Annually, UF Health contributes more than $4.6 billion to Florida's overall economy. Our mission is to promote health through outstanding and high-quality patient care, innovative and rigorous education in the health professions and biomedical sciences, and high-impact research across the spectrum of basic, translational and clinical investigation. Visit www.UFHealth.org to learn more.

Media contact:Gary Mans at [email protected] or 352-265-9406, or Erin Wallner at [email protected] or 904-819-4984.

For more than 30 years, Gary has been involved in academic health system communications, beginning his career as a student assistant at the University of Florida. He has made stops...Read More