Uninsured woman hospitalized for 22 days after heart attack receives full care at AdventHealth

Patient Testimonial - Summer's Story

When Summer Sullivan stepped into the ICU and saw her mother, Cinnamon, unconscious and connected to a ventilator, the fear was immediate and overwhelming.

“It was the first time I’d ever seen someone on a ventilator,” she said. “And it was my mom.”

Cinnamon had suffered a heart attack and would spend the next 22 days at AdventHealth Fish Memorial, fighting for her life. The physical toll of her illness was only matched by the emotional weight of not knowing how she’d afford the care without insurance.

“Mom told me that we should let her go,” Sullivan continued. “It wasn’t because she didn’t want to keep living, it was because of the scary burden of bills without having insurance.”

But at AdventHealth Fish Memorial, financial fears never got in the way of care. From the ICU to rehabilitation, labs to therapies, Cinnamon received whole-person treatment focused on healing–not billing.

“Knowing mom could focus solely on healing changed everything for us,” Sullivan shared.

That peace of mind is exactly what AdventHealth’s financial assistance programs are designed to offer, especially during life’s most critical moments.

Thanks to that support, Cinnamon’s hospital and rehab stays–spanning more than five weeks in total–were fully covered by AdventHealth and a grant through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a national philanthropic organization focused on community well-being. The financial relief lifted a massive weight off her family’s shoulders.

For Dr. Stephen Knych, AdventHealth Fish Memorial’s chief medical officer, the care Cinnamon received reflects the organization’s deeper mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ.

“As a not-for-profit health system, AdventHealth doesn’t distribute profits to shareholders. Instead, our earnings are reinvested into advancing care, improving access, and supporting the well-being of our community,” said Knych. “Caring for the uninsured and underinsured isn’t a sideline effort; it is core to who we are.”

In 2023 alone, AdventHealth contributed over $16 billion to Florida’s economy, including millions directed to community programs and unreimbursed care, supporting patients like Cinnamon.

That impact extends beyond the bedside. Every three years, AdventHealth leads a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in partnership with organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits. The results guide investments in areas like mental health, food insecurity, housing, transportation, and access to care.

Cinnamon’s care was one result of this work. Her medical bills were covered through AdventHealth’s financial assistance program and a community grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation—funding aligned with CHNA priorities to expand access to lifesaving treatment for uninsured patients.

“Our commitment to the community means thinking beyond hospital walls,” Knych said. “It’s about building a future where everyone has the chance to live healthier, regardless of their circumstances.”

Today, Cinnamon is home with her family—and thanks to the care she received and the financial support that followed, she’s not carrying the weight of medical debt on her path to healing.