OCOEE—After a delay that prompted rumors the deal may have been nullified, the $177 million sale of Health Central to Orlando Health will become official by the end of March, and a new name will be unfurled for the hospital’s 60th anniversary: Orlando Health Central.

“The deal was never off,” said Greg Ohe, senior vice president in charge of operations at Health Central, one of the last remaining independent hospital systems in Central Florida. “Orlando Health and Health Central and their respective attorneys spent a fair amount of time finding the right structure for the arrangement and that took some time. Everyone agrees the seller-financed, asset purchase sale structure was the right approach.”

The finalized Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) between the West Orange Healthcare District and Orlando Health for the ownership of Health Central was signed at the end of December.

“Health Central will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Orlando Health, with its own board of directors and its own distinct medical staff, so the board and medical staff can continue the hospital’s mission,” said Ohe, of improving the health of the community by providing safe, quality healthcare services in an atmosphere of caring.

When Health Central put itself on the market, big players – Adventist/Florida Hospital, HCA, and HMA – came to the table with various offerings. Yet the hospital’s long-standing ties with Orlando Health stuck.

“When we initially discussed a medical partner for Health Central during a time of great change and many challenges in the healthcare industry, our board went to our medical staff and talked about the need for this move,” said Ohe. “The medical staff was open and supportive to the plan; they were fully aware of the need. Their one request was for the medical staff to remain independent. Orlando Health accommodated that request.”

Early last year, Health Central’s Board of Trustees voted 13-3 to align with Orlando Health, operator of seven hospitals in Central Florida, including its flagship, Orlando Regional Medical Center. Three board members preferred to partner with Florida Hospital.

“We’ve had a close relationship with Orlando Health for a long time,” said Ohe, who joined Health Central in 2004, and has worked in Florida since 1991. “We’ve collaborated on clinical programs. Our cardiologists developed an interventional cardiac program and more recently started a Code STEMI program. We’ve shared our cardiologists with Orlando Health, who have become employed by Orlando Health. That further cemented our relationship.”

In 2010, Health Central collaborated with Orlando Health on a state-driven EMS transport protocol stroke program.

“We have two neurologists on staff at Health Central, yet two isn’t a sufficient number to staff a program around the clock, so we worked very creatively with Orlando Health to provide stroke services through telemedicine.”

One of the first major projects on the books with the Health Central-Orlando Health pact involves establishing a cancer program with MD Anderson Orlando Cancer Center at Orlando Health. The building located across the street from Health Central that houses the radiation oncology and medical oncology services will become a cancer center operated by MD Anderson Orlando. 

“MD Anderson Orlando will work with our surgeons and other providers who participate in the care of patients with cancer to improve the delivery and integration,” said Ohe. “Difficult cases are brought to various committees about the best collaborative approach.”

Ohe said he doesn’t foresee changes in Health Central’s workforce. “Orlando Health’s intent is to move our employees to their organization intact,” he said. “Their pay scale and benefits package is comparable to ours.”

Importantly, the sale will allow Health Central access to technology and physician recruitment. “The change will also allow us to expand various clinical programs that align with our mission,” said Ohe. “We’ll benefit from their financial strength for future capital needs.”

Coinciding with the sale, Orlando Health is launching Patient First, an integrated quality initiative that Health Central’s leadership team sees as a significant contribution to the new relationship.

“It’s important during this time of unprecedented change in healthcare to be with a partner that allows you to confront those challenges for high patient quality and access to care,” said Ohe. “Orlando Health has always been a good partner with us, and we’re excited about expanding moving forward.”

Tags:

Bookmark:

Digg

Facebook

Technorati

Newsvine

Google

Related: