NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., March 4, 2020 – AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach has entered a three-year Love Our Lagoon business partnership with the Marine Discovery Center (MDC). As part of this partnership, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach will also become the title sponsor of Lagoonacy, MDC’s annual fundraising festival in April.
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach also plans to partner with MDC to create several nature and wellness events throughout the year for enhanced public outreach through the nonprofit marine-focused nature center.
“Strong partnerships have enabled us to expand our mission to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon,” said Chad Truxall, MDC executive director. “We are very excited about our new partnership with AdventHealth.”
Truxall noted a distinct connection between the two entities focused on health and vitality.
“As a pillar in our community, AdventHealth’s commitment to making communities healthier aligns directly with our commitment to creating a healthier environment and connecting people to the natural world,” Truxall added. “Working together will afford new opportunities to strengthen the relationship between people, animals, plants and our shared environment.”
The link was something that also struck Dr. Dennis Hernandez, CEO of AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach and member of the MDC board of directors.
“We were born to enjoy a life that is active, vibrant and filled with joy,” said Hernandez. “MDC’s long-range vision of protecting the Indian River Lagoon and ecosystem supports and aligns perfectly with one of our principles for overall health and wellbeing: the environment. Research has shown that our environment can truly impact what happens within us, influencing our mood as well as our health.”
“MDC’s goal and programs support our brand promise of ‘Feel Whole’ by not just addressing the body, but also the mind and spirit,” Hernandez added. “It’s not just what’s inside of you, but what is around us that matters.”
This new partnership will kick off at the annual Lagoonacy festival, set for April 18 at the Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracudas Blvd., New Smyrna Beach.
MDC’s Love Our Lagoon program gives area businesses the channel to provide partnership funding for the center’s educational programs, as well as for restoration and preservation initiatives pertaining to the Indian River Lagoon.
About The Marine Discovery Center
The Marine Discovery Center (MDC) was founded in 1997 with the goal to protect and restore the Florida coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems through education, research and community stewardship. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, MDC has become widely recognized for its quality educational and hands-on, feet-wet learning programs for kids, as well as adults. Using its 40-passenger Discovery boat and fleet of kayaks, the center offers learning opportunities as a floating classroom, in adventure camps, as well as for guided eco-tours by certified naturalists. The center showcases engaging exhibits for experiential learning and invites community participation in stewardship opportunities. For more information, visit www.marinediscoverycenter.org.
About AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach has 109-beds and is one of the six hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care. With more than 80,000 team members, AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in nearly a dozen states. With the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach provides whole person care to heal the body, mind and spirit. For more information about AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, visit AdventHealthNewSmyrnaBeach.com.
Photo Caption:
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach has entered a three-year Love Our Lagoon business partnership with the Marine Discovery Center. As part of this partnership, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach will also become the title sponsor of Lagoonacy, the Marine Discovery Center’s annual fundraising festival in April. Pictured from left to right at the Marine Discovery Center’s kayak ramp where cardboard boat races launch during Lagoonacy: Courtney Reulbach, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach marketing coordinator, Krissy Chalk, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach marketing manager, mermaid Jessy Wayles, Marine Discovery Center conservation science coordinator, Wendy Castino, Marine Discovery Center marketing coordinator, and Chad Truxall, Marine Discovery Center executive director.