State of the Hospital event highlights AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach’s medical advancements and community impact

AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, the city’s largest employer, hosted its second annual State of the Hospital event on May 15. Over 80 community members attended this interactive event to hear hospital executives discuss recent advancements, community investments and future plans.

Hosted by the AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach Foundation, hospital leaders emphasized the commitment to bolstering the treatment options available to patients locally. Khelsea Bauer, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach chief operating officer, highlighted two firsts for the southeastern Volusia County community, both of which have been supported by generous community gifts via the Foundation: the hospital’s new minimally invasive robotic surgical system and the transition of all cancer treatments to AdventHealth clinicians.

“Bringing the oncology program fully in-house under the AdventHealth umbrella is enabling us to provide comprehensive, seamless care for our patients,” Bauer told the crowd. “Our continuum of cancer care now includes services ranging from disease prevention and state-of-the-art detection to treatment and research, along with the area’s only genetic counseling services.”

The transition occurred in November and care is now provided by AdventHealth Cancer Institute clinicians. The AdventHealth Cancer Institute is recognized among the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and has earned accolades in excellence by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the American College of Radiology.

During the event, hospital leaders also outlined significant enhancements to the emergency department, which treats nearly 30,000 patients each year. As a result, the hospital’s ER now ranks as a top performer in patient satisfaction, both within AdventHealth’s Florida operations and the entire organization.

“Our emergency department is certified by the Joint Commission as a primary stroke care center and receives consistent recognition from the American Heart Association,” said Carla Johnson, executive director of nursing and clinical operations at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. “We aim to offer an outstanding patient experience with shorter wait times while continuing the compassionate care our patients have come to expect when they walk through our doors.”

Hospital leaders also emphasized to attendees the important role of community partnerships.
“Extending the healing ministry of Christ is our mission and calls on each and every one of us at AdventHealth to be His hands and feet in helping people feel whole,” said Dr. Dennis Hernandez, CEO of AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach.

The hospital collaborates with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Food Brings Hope, Volusia County Schools and the United Way to address health equity issues, break down barriers to care and help promote healthy lifestyles. In addition, leaders shared that the hospital partnered with the City of New Smyrna Beach’s Mayoral Taskforce to address homelessness, mental health and substance abuse.

“Last year, we invested approximately $39 million in our local community,” said Kenneth Zill, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach chief financial officer. “This demonstrates our commitment to extending our mission outside our hospital walls and into the communities we serve, helping people feel whole.”

Hospital leaders ended the event by looking to the future and explained plans to further expand surgical robotics capabilities, cancer care and cardiac services, including a new cardiac catheterization lab.

“As an organization, AdventHealth has big expansion plans, and that’s true here locally too. We’ve grown so much in the last year – this is very purposeful as we intend to always grow with our community,” said Hernandez. “We are actively recruiting more physicians and investing in nursing education to help us meet the growing needs of southeast Volusia. By the end of 2024, we’ll have brought around 20 new doctors to the community in just two years. This will make it easier for our residents and visitors to access the high quality, compassionate care AdventHealth is regularly recognized for on the national stage.”