News

St. Luke's becomes AdventHealth Polk

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 19, 2024

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.

The agreement also includes several physician practices 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 changes to St. Luke's current lease agreement to make the transition possible. Once the transition takes place, AdventHealth Polk will join AdventHealth in Henderson County provide care in 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," said Brandon Nudd, president/CEO for AdventHealth Hendersonville. "Our hospitals share a legacy of providing high-quality, faith-based care that focuses on the whole person — body, mind and spirit."

The transition to AdventHealth Polk should be complete in October, pending government and regulatory approvals. Until then, current management will remain in place.

"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," said Bill Miller, St. Luke's Hospital board chair. "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."