Baptist Health South Florida and Bethesda Health Finalize Merger

MIAMI, FL – October 1, 2017 – Bethesda Health, headquartered in Boynton Beach, today became a part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region. After two and a half years of extensive due diligence, the merger of the two organizations is official effective Oct. 1.

“Our organizations share similar values and a steadfast commitment to providing quality healthcare to our patients,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “Together, as not-for-profit mission-driven organizations, we will enhance our capabilities and carry out our common goal of providing compassionate, patient-focused comprehensive care to our community.”

With the addition of Bethesda Health, including Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West, Baptist Health grows to 10 hospitals, more than 40 physician practices and approximately 50 outpatient facilities as well as internationally-renowned centers of excellence in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Baptist Health’s merger with Bethesda will allow the organization to expand access to high-quality, compassionate care across South Florida.

According to Bethesda Health chief executive officer Roger Kirk, the merger reflects Bethesda’s commitment to serving Palm Beach County for years to come. “During these ever-changing times in the healthcare industry, hospitals across the country are positioning themselves to strengthen their capabilities in patient care and enhance their resources. This partnership with Baptist Health gives our community expanded access to healthcare services,” said Kirk.
Founded in 1959, Bethesda includes two not-for-profit hospitals, 401-bed Bethesda Hospital East and 80-bed Bethesda Hospital West. Bethesda Health and its affiliates offer a full array of healthcare services, including the Bethesda Heart Hospital for the most comprehensive level of cardiovascular services, general, vascular and endovascular surgery, maternity, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, women’s health services and the Bethesda Comprehensive Cancer Center.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,400 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About Bethesda Health, Inc.
Bethesda Health is comprised of two not-for-profit hospitals, Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West, which are supported by the generosity of philanthropic community members through the Bethesda Hospital Foundation. Through community support we have grown to 675 physicians and more than 2,500 employees. Bethesda Health includes Bethesda Health Physician Group, Bethesda Heart Hospital, Bethesda Orthopaedic Institute, Cornell Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, the Center for Women and Children, which includes Level III neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care, the Bethesda College of Health Sciences and accredited centers for Stroke, Chest Pain and Heart Failure. Bethesda Hospital is proud to be a part of Palm Beach County’s consortium to provide graduate medical education, in partnership with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. Now in its fourth year, Bethesda trains Resident physicians in Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Emergency Medicine. Visit BaptistHealth.net/Bethesda

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