Top right: Bayfront Health systems
Bottom left: Orlando Health
Bottom right: Tallahassee Memorial Hospital
At UF Health Shands Hospital, commitment to providing the best possible care applies not just to patients in the Gainesville community, but also statewide and even across the country. One step toward reaching the pinnacle of quality health care provision is working with other hospitals through affiliations.
Over the years, UF Health has expanded its reach by collaborating on research, clinical and education efforts with other hospitals such as Orlando Health, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and Bayfront Health systems in the St. Petersburg and Tampa area.
These relationships help to expand UF Health’s influence across the state and ensure that patients throughout Florida are receiving expert care. In addition, working with other health systems affords its physicians and health professionals the opportunity to learn from other experts at fellow prominent health centers. Such partnerships have allowed UF Health employees to develop skills and share proficiencies—ultimately improving the healthcare experience of all patients who visit these hospitals.
“We are committed to serving patients throughout Florida with quality health care that is accessible and well-coordinated,” said Dr. David S. Guzick, UF senior vice president for health affairs and president of UF Health.
Working with other hospital systems also allows UF Health to increase its medical programming. Chief Executive Officer Tim Goldfarb addressed affiliations with Orlando Health, stating, “UF Health continued our ongoing collaboration with Orlando Health to position each of our organizations for improved regional patient care under health care reform and to explore opportunities for developing joint clinical programs.”
In July, one of those joint clinical programs reached fruition when Orlando Health and the UF department of neurosurgery joined together to create UF Health Neurosurgery at Orlando Health. This specialized practice, which is located on Orlando Health’s downtown campus, staffs five neurosurgeons—each with unique backgrounds and subspecialties. In addition to these specialists, Gainesville-based UF Health physicians also provide treatment to patients in central Florida.
According to Guzick, creating these relationships is an important part of the growth and success of UF Health.
“It is critical for us to establish regional relationships with like-minded partners and share resources and expertise,” Guzick said. “Together, we can improve the health of our communities, ensure people have access to the latest research, and give our outstanding medical staff opportunities to collaborate and innovate.”