St. Luke's Hospital will soon be AdventHealth Polk

AdventHealth, one of the nation’s largest faith-based health systems, recently signed a definitive agreement to assume management of St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina. St. Luke's is a top-rated, community-owned critical access hospital serving the Western Carolinas. The agreement also includes several physician and ambulatory care clinics. AdventHealth will rename the hospital AdventHealth Polk to reflect its national network and brand.

"We are excited about the opportunity to offer our unique promise of whole-person care to this community and look forward to working with and caring for the team members, physicians, patients and residents of Polk County and the surrounding area," said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth.

In June, the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the changes necessary to St. Luke's current lease agreement to make this transition possible. Once the transition takes place, AdventHealth Polk will join AdventHealth Hendersonville, located in neighboring Henderson County, in providing care to Western North Carolina.

“AdventHealth and our team in Hendersonville are looking forward to having the exceptional St. Luke’s team as partners in caring for the people of Western North Carolina. Our hospitals share a legacy of providing high-quality, faith-based care that focuses on the whole-person – body, mind and spirit,” said Brandon Nudd, president/CEO for AdventHealth Hendersonville.

The transition to AdventHealth Polk should be complete in October, pending government and regulatory approvals. Until then, current management will remain in place. AdventHealth is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all team members, physicians, and consumers, maintaining the high standards of care for which St. Luke's Hospital is known.

"St. Luke's has been the community's leader in health care services for nearly a century and a model for critical access hospitals in the Southeast. We look forward to being part of AdventHealth's national care network and continuing to deliver high-quality health care in a consumer-centric manner as AdventHealth Polk," said Bill Miller, St. Luke's Hospital Board Member and Chair.