Expanding care close to home: What’s ahead for Flagler County hospitals

More than 70 business leaders, clinicians, elected officials and nonprofit partners gathered Thursday for Flagler County’s annual State of the Hospitals address, where AdventHealth leaders discussed how the organization is responding to the area’s rapid growth and evolving health needs.

The discussion focused on expanding specialty care, improving patient experience and helping more residents receive advanced care within Flagler County through stronger community partnerships and local investment.

“When someone receives a difficult diagnosis, the last thing they need is more uncertainty about where to turn,” said Denyse Bales-Chubb, president and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast. “We’re working to build a stronger network of care here in Flagler County so people can find experienced care and clearer guidance closer to where they live.”

As the area’s population continues to grow, hospital leaders said they are seeing more people seek care locally, particularly in emergency medicine, cancer treatment and specialty services.

Over the past year, AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway cared for more than 68,000 emergency department patients and nearly 14,000 hospitalized patients across Flagler County.

That growth is shaping both the number of patients seeking care locally and the need for additional specialists across the county.

In response, the hospitals are recruiting physicians in specialties including cardiology, neurosurgery, endocrinology, nephrology, orthopedics and urology. Hospital leaders noted 10 physicians were recruited into the Flagler market in 2025, with five already added this year and at least 15 more expected by year’s end.

In addition to adding more physicians to the community, hospital leaders also discussed efforts to make hospital stays feel more connected and less stressful for patients and families.

The hospitals’ newly introduced Smart Room technology allows patients to connect with physicians, pharmacists, case managers, interpreters and spiritual care teams through secure in-room video. The technology also helps patients stay informed about their care plans, communicate more easily with caregivers and include loved ones in important conversations, even when they cannot be at the bedside.

“A hospital stay can leave people feeling isolated,” said Wally De Aquino, president and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway. “Technology should help people feel more connected and supported, not less.”

The Freytag Cancer Center was another focus of the event.

Over the past year, clinicians delivered more than 7,000 radiation treatments, while support services helped cancer patients navigate transportation challenges, financial strain and other disruptions that often accompany treatment.

“Cancer care can feel overwhelming, especially when patients are navigating so many decisions at once,” said Shawn Rhoton, director of radiation oncology at AdventHealth Palm Coast. “Receiving care nearby helps people spend less time worrying about logistics and more time focusing on their recovery.”

Recent national recognitions tied to patient safety and quality outcomes were also highlighted during the event.

Earlier this spring, AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway each received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group.

AdventHealth Palm Coast was also named among the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Premier and Modern Healthcare and received a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Hospital leaders said the recognitions reflect years of work to strengthen patient safety, coordination and consistency across the organization.

Throughout the event, speakers emphasized that improving health in Flagler County extends beyond hospital walls. The discussion highlighted partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations and local groups focused on youth mental health, student-athlete wellness, workforce development and food access.

Those efforts align closely with the hospitals’ community health assessments, which identified mental health, substance misuse and community connection as some of Flagler County’s most pressing health challenges.

“Our responsibility goes beyond the walls of a hospital,” Bales-Chubb said. “As Flagler County grows, we want people to know they have a trusted healthcare partner growing alongside them.”