Health Central's in-house marketing department

was honored not once, but twice for advertising excellence. The team, led by Brenda LaBattaglia, received the 2011 Gold National Aster Award in Print Advertising for the "Stroke Lightning" campaign. The team also received the 2011 Silver National Aster Award in Billboard Advertising for the "Each Heart is Precious" campaign. The Aster Award is a prestigious health care marketing awards program that evaluates and rewards the work of the world's best medical marketing innovators.

The American Alliance of Healthcare Providers (AAHCP) selected Health Central as one of the ten winners of the Hospital of Choice Award for the 2010 winter quarter. Since 2002, the Hospital of Choice Award has recognized America's most customer-friendly hospitals based on either an extensive application process or by a secret review of a facility's public communication and staff interaction with customers.

Health Central was recognized as one of Orlando Sentinel's Top 100 Companies for Working Families in 2010. The Top 100 award application considered the benefits provided to employees and their families in categories such as core benefits, family-related benefits, work environment, communication and training.

In 2009, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) presented Health Central Park with the Quality Award after a lengthy review process and diligent facility research. Factors such as quality improvement, budget management and longevity of staff members were evaluated by AHCA.

Health Central is one of five winners of the American Hospital Association’s 2006 Nova Award this year. The AHA has recognized five collaborative hospital-led programs that improve community health by extending help to low-income and uninsured children and adults, the chronically ill and racial and ethnic minorities.

The Nova Award was presented at a ceremony on July 15th during the association’s annual Health Forum Leadership Summit in San Francisco. Richard Irwin, President/CEO of Health Central attended the Forum and is very pleased with the Primary Care Access Network (PCAN) program, which serves the under- and non-insured in the community through various avenues, such as Shepard’s Hope and the West Orange Health Alliance. Health Central shares the award with Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Healthcare Systems.

“The PCAN grew out of a model created by the West Orange Healthcare District to forge a community partnership to make healthcare a priority for the uninsured,” Richard said. “We looked to the leadership from area healthcare providers and formed a network to improve access to medical care for so many in our community who don’t have healthcare coverage.”

PCAN centers serve individuals without health insurance or on limited income, as well as those with Medicaid, Medicare and Florida KidCare. The network is also striving to educate the community on appropriate use of hospital emergency rooms. PCAN also includes the Health Central School Nurse Program, which provides nurses in 32 Orange County Public Schools who serve more than 40,000 children annually. Through this program, referrals are provided for free clinics at locations, such as the West Orange Health Alliance and Shepard’s Hope clinics.

Photo caption: (Left to right): Richard Irwin, President/CEO of Health Central, accepts the NOVA award in San Francisco. (left to right) Molly Coye, MD, AHA Board member and CEO of Health Technology Center; George DeLong, Orlando Regional Healthcare; Maureen Kersmarki, Florida Hospital; Richard Irwin, President/CEO of Health Central; Larry Jones, Orange County Health and Family Services, and Neil Jesuele, EVP of AHA and president of Health Forum.

Health Central Expansion 2000 recently won the Eagle Award, which is the first-place award of excellence, for Healthcare/Hospitals in the $20-50MM range. Only one first place Eagle Award is given for each category and the recipient is then eligible to win the national ABC Excellence in Construction Award this November.

Health Central Receives VHA 2007 Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence, Excellent Patient Care. VHA Inc., a national healthcare alliance based in Irving, TX, has recognized Health Central for excellence in clinical care for implementation and successful results of its Rapid Response Team.  Health Central was one of 100 VHA member hospitals nationwide to receive a 2007 Leadership Award. The hospital was honored at VHA’s Leadership Conference in Denver on May 20th, where Susan Jackson, Health Central Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, Bart Rodier, M.D. and David Rothenberg, RN and member of Health Central’s Rapid Response Team, accepted the VHA 2007 Clinical Excellence Award on behalf of Health Central.

“This award validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and physicians to provide excellent care to our patients,” said Richard Irwin, Health Central president and CEO. “The Rapid Response Team takes the idea of rescuing patients in trouble with a sort of a SWAT team of nurses that intervene with patients before they develop serious medical problems. For example, a doctor might get a call about a hospitalized patient experiencing breathing difficulties. But sometimes the symptoms are too vague to make a conclusion over the phone, or by the time the doctor sees the patient, the patient’s situation has worsened. The Rapid Response Team comes to the scene earlier to assess the situation,” Irwin explained.

Health Central’s Rapid Response Team is comprised of six registered nurses and 14 respiratory therapists.   Since its inception in July 2005, the response team has responded to 244 calls and is recognized for providing an advanced level of care that prevented issues leading to cardiac or respiratory arrest.

"At the heart of the covenant between patients and hospitals lies the belief that clinical excellence is paramount," said Trent Haywood, M.D., J.D., chief medical officer at VHA. "Health Central is a shining example of what can be achieved when a hospital's actions are guided by the pursuit of clinical excellence."

The VHA 2007 Leadership Award for clinical excellence is based on the latest set of measures accepted nationally as indicators of quality.

Photo caption: (Left to right): Stuart Baker, MD, Executive VP and COO, VHA, Inc, David Rothenberg, RN, member of Health Central’s Rapid Response Team, Susan Jackson, Health Central Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, Bart Rodier, M.D., Consultant, HealthCentral and Curt Nomonaque President and CEO VHA, Inc.

Health Central was selected as one of the inaugural recipients of the 2009 Medical Marker award given by the bioOrlando program of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC). The Medical Marker awards recognize significant contributors to the growth of the health and life sciences industry in Central Florida.

L to R: Steve Stanford, Chairman of the Board, Richard Irwin, President & CEO Health Central and Ray Gilley, President & CEO, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P"), one of the leading national rating agencies, affirmed that the West Orange Healthcare District, doing business as Health Central, has met the criteria to uphold its long-term "A" rating in 2009. The affirmation reflects Health Central's maintenance of a solid business position and improved operating income.

Health Central has been recognized as one of “Florida’s Best of 2004” for the active role played in the economics and education in the community. Congratulations for being one of 19 partnerships chosen from over one hundred applications.