Florida Hospital New Smyrna names physician of the year

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., July 9, 2018 Florida Hospital New Smyrna has named emergency medicine physician Dr. Peter Riga as physician of the year.

Each year, employees at Florida Hospital New Smyrna nominate and vote for the top doctor who is compassionate and caring in the treatment of patients, and provides safe, accessible, high-quality care.

Dr. Riga goes above and beyond for his patients, the emergency department, the hospital, and staff. His patient care is exemplary. He is always involving the patient and the family in the plan of care, an employee said in his nomination. One of his most compassionate attributes is that he always prays with his families of the patients that he was not able to have successful resuscitation.

Patients are very receptive to his compassionate care. He is always available to the patients and their families, and he also cares about the staff, a colleague wrote in a nomination. His care is definitely high quality and he always involves the family.

Florida Hospital New Smyrna's chief of staff Dr. Davor Pluec presented the award to Riga in the emergency department with his family standing by.

We have so many wonderful physicians here at Florida Hospital New Smyrna and I am honored to receive this recognition, Riga said.

Riga also recognized the emergency department team and his family.

The team in the emergency department is amazing. Without their daily contributions to caring for our patients and community, an accolade such as this would not be possible, he said. I am thankful my family could be here today, and for their love and support that sustains me in extending Christs healing ministry. This award represents the same lessons I try to teach my children every day: how we care for others is important and we are privileged to have the opportunity to serve others.

Riga is board certified in emergency medicine and serves as the medical director for Florida Hospital New Smyrna's emergency department.

About Florida Hospital New Smyrna

Florida Hospital New Smyrna is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses in nine states, serving more than 5 million patients annually. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, Florida Hospital New Smyrna has 112-beds and is one of the seven Florida Hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region has 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees. For more information about Florida Hospital New Smyrna, visit www.FHNewSmyrna.org.