Our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ depends not only on our commitment to Christian ideals but on our efforts to provide nothing less than extraordinary compassionate care. The pursuit of excellence and promise of compassion that formed the foundation of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare continue today in the largest hospital and the smallest clinic.
A Promise Kept for Generations
Medical pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist church established an innovative healthcare program in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1866, looking to the healing ministry of Christ for inspiration.
Seeking not only to treat disease but to prevent suffering, they created an environment of support for the whole person, addressing physical, mental and spiritual needs. Their commitment and philosophy continue today in hundreds of hospitals, nursing homes and clinics around the globe.
The Strength Behind the Compassion
Part of this worldwide network, Adventist Health system was founded in 1973 to support and strengthen Seventh-day Adventist healthcare organizations in the Southern and Southwestern regions of the United States. It quickly became the largest not-for-profit Protestant healthcare provider in the nation.
Today, Adventist Health System organizations provide 37 hospitals totaling more than 6,000 licensed beds, care for nearly 4 million patients each year in inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits, and employ almost 43,000 members of their communities in full and part-time positions.
A Continuum of Care
Many Adventist Health System hospitals offer home health and other services to meet community needs. Seventeen skilled nursing centers provide more than 2,000 beds for patients who need long-term medical or rehabilitation services. Adventist Care Centers, Adventist Health System’s skilled nursing connection, contracts with 16 of these facilities. As recognized leaders in the delivery of skilled care, these sites provide specialized services including respiratory therapy, cardiac care and others.
Local Control, Corporate Support
To best meet the exact needs of their communities, every Adventist Health System entity operates independently in hiring employees and delivering care and services. The corporate office reinforces these efforts by sharing management and clinical expertise, providing access to a greater number of managed care plans, and making available a wide range of additional resources and services.
The Uncommon Pursuit of Common Goals
Although separated by geography and as unique as the varied communities we serve, Adventist Health System organizations will always be united in our efforts to improve every aspect of life.
Adventist Health System’s flagship, Florida Hospital, is one of the largest healthcare providers in America and a national leader in cardiac care. Established in 1908, Florida Hospital now provides more than 1,800 beds on seven campuses and is recognized for the quality of its cancer care, neurosciences, orthopedics, kidney disease, limb replantation, sports medicine, rehabilitation, and women’s medicine programs.
The pursuit of excellence and promise of compassion that formed the foundation of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare continue today in the largest hospitals and the smallest clinics.
Lives Change When Mission is Put to Work
When Seven-day Adventist healthcare began, philosophy was translated into life-saving and life enhancing service when mission was put into action. Today, our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ depends not only on our commitment to Christian ideals but on our efforts to provide nothing less than extraordinary, compassionate care.
Abundant Life
“I came so that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance.”…..John 10:10
In the perfect conditions of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve eight essential principles for the enjoyment of life. They had the power of choice, a day of rest and an environment that was serene, exhilarating and nurturing. Earth’s first inhabitants were active, trusting in God, and they enjoyed each other’s company. Their lives were full of joy and their simple but flavorful food provided perfect nutrition, enjoyment and strength.
As we seek to help those around us embrace a more abundant life, we return to the original principles found in Creation: Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust, Interpersonal relationships, Outlook and Nutrition. This model – The Creation Health model – is a timeless prescription for wholeness, a blueprint for living the abundant life to which God is calling us. The Creation Health model is the foundation for Adventist Health System’s delivery of whole-person healthcare. Its message is an integral thread of our mission, guiding our interactions and transactions.