Adventist Health System
Encyclopedia
The Adventist Health System is a non-profit health care organisation which operates facilities within the Southern
and Midwestern regions
of the United States
. It is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church
.
As of 2009, the system supports 43 hospitals, and claims to be "the largest not-for-profit Protestant healthcare provider in the nation."
, the Seventh-day Adventist Church first established the innovative Western Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan
in 1866, to care for the sick as well as to disseminate health instruction. Over the years, other Adventist sanitariums were established around the country. These sanitariums evolved into hospitals, forming the backbone of the Adventists' medical network.
In 1972, the church decided to centralize the management of its healthcare institutions on a regional basis and, in so doing, formed the Adventist Health System to support and strengthen Seventh-day Adventist healthcare organizations in the Southern
and Southwestern
regions of the United States.
Ten years later, the regional operations formed a national organization, Adventist Health System/U.S., which management called the largest not-for-profit, multi-institutional healthcare system
in the United States.
Adventist Health System organizations currently operate 43 hospitals and 16 nursing homes with more than 7,000 licensed beds, care for roughly 4 million patients annually in inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits, and employ 55,000 people.
Established in 1908, Adventist Health System's flagship
institution, Florida Hospital, is one of the largest healthcare providers in America
and a recognized leader in cardiac care, providing more than 1,800 beds on seven campuses. Florida Hospital has been recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
and Midwestern regions
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
.
As of 2009, the system supports 43 hospitals, and claims to be "the largest not-for-profit Protestant healthcare provider in the nation."
History
Inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, and at the behest of Ellen G. WhiteEllen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
, the Seventh-day Adventist Church first established the innovative Western Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Calhoun county...
in 1866, to care for the sick as well as to disseminate health instruction. Over the years, other Adventist sanitariums were established around the country. These sanitariums evolved into hospitals, forming the backbone of the Adventists' medical network.
In 1972, the church decided to centralize the management of its healthcare institutions on a regional basis and, in so doing, formed the Adventist Health System to support and strengthen Seventh-day Adventist healthcare organizations in the Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
and Southwestern
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
regions of the United States.
Ten years later, the regional operations formed a national organization, Adventist Health System/U.S., which management called the largest not-for-profit, multi-institutional healthcare system
Hospital network
A hospital network is a network or group of hospitals that work together to coordinate and deliver a broad spectrum of services to their community. A hospital system or health care system is 2 or more hospitals owned, sponsored, or contract managed by a central organization...
in the United States.
Adventist Health System organizations currently operate 43 hospitals and 16 nursing homes with more than 7,000 licensed beds, care for roughly 4 million patients annually in inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits, and employ 55,000 people.
Structure and affiliation
Every Adventist Health System entity operates independently in hiring employees and delivering care and services. The System's corporate office reinforces these efforts by sharing management and clinical knowledge, providing access to managed care plans, and offering other resources and services.Established in 1908, Adventist Health System's flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
institution, Florida Hospital, is one of the largest healthcare providers in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and a recognized leader in cardiac care, providing more than 1,800 beds on seven campuses. Florida Hospital has been recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
See also
- Adventist HealthAdventist HealthAdventist HealthTypeOperates health care facilities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and WashingtonFounded1980HeadquartersRoseville, CAAffiliationSeventh-day Adventist ChurchEmployees17,500Mission Statement...
- Adventist Health InternationalAdventist Health InternationalAdventist Health International is a multinational, nonprofit corporation with headquarters in Loma Linda, California. AHI was established to provide coordination, consultation, management, and technical assistance to hospitals and health care services operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church,...
- Adventist Health StudiesAdventist Health StudiesAdventist Health Studies is a series of long-term medical research projects of Loma Linda University with the intent to measure the link between lifestyle, diet, disease and mortality of Seventh-day Adventists....
- List of Seventh-day Adventist hospitals
- List of Seventh-day Adventist medical schools
- List of Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools
- List of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities