ROCKLEDGE, Fla. (November 15, 2018) ‐ Health First and Florida Hospital – soon to be AdventHealth — have signed a letter of intent to align resources, serving patients from the Gulf Coast to the Space Coast. With AdventHealth's purchase of a minority share of Health First, Brevard's community health care system will remain locally owned, while having even more advanced tools and technologies at their fingertips — from digital innovation platforms to increased capital to improve the infrastructure and resources of their organization.

“After successfully launching a health plan together five years ago with Florida Hospital, we have gotten to know AdventHealth quite well,” said Steve Johnson, President & CEO of Health First. “Their mission is heavily aligned with ours — they, too, are driven to serve, embrace an environment surrounded by integrity and ethics, and are highly capable of serving Central Floridians' healthcare needs.”

This agreement doesn't just benefit the two organizations involved. It will enhance Health First's high-quality, compassionate care even more, expanding the range of AdventHealth and Health First and forming a super-regional integrated delivery network.

“The alignment of the AdventHealth and Health First brands is a natural fit,” said Daryl Tol, President and CEO of Florida Hospital & Central Florida Division. “By partnering to create a super-region, we are able to expand our services and deliver a connected experience for our consumers.”

Health First will retain majority control of the organization and will also maintain its name and brand but will have synergy with their AdventHealth partners — thanks to the use of technology and strategic initiatives that are still being reviewed.

“Health care is an ever-changing industry, and we are ready to adapt to these changes to best serve Brevard County,” Johnson said. “We have been a part of this community for more than 80 years — and taking these steps will ensure we are here serving patients for many years to come.”

About Health First

Founded in 1995, Health First is Brevard County's not-for-profit, community healthcare system. The fully integrated delivery network (IDN) includes health insurance plans, hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group, and outpatient and wellness services. As a locally owned, not-for-profit organization, Health First is committed to investing in our community. In 2017, Health First provided more than $159 million in community support. To learn more about Health First and how we're giving back to our community, please visit HFgivesback.org.

About Florida Hospital – Soon to be AdventHealth

Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is a faith-based institution focused on providing whole-person care — treating the mind, body and spirit. It is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than two million patient visits per year – more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. Florida Hospital stretches across the state with more than two dozen hospitals and more than 32,000 employees. It includes the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children, dozens of outpatient facilities and Centra Care urgent care locations throughout Central Florida.

Florida Hospital provides a wide range of health services, including many nationally and internationally recognized programs in cardiology, cancer, women's medicine, neurosciences, diabetes, orthopedics, pediatrics, transplant and advanced surgical programs. Florida Hospital is a designated statutory teaching hospital and also trains physicians from all around the world on the newest technologies.

Beginning in January 2019, Florida Hospital will be known as AdventHealth, raising its profile as the hub of a national health care company. AdventHealth operates nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care centers in nine states, making it one of the largest faith-based health care systems in the United States.