Orlando, FL (October 5, 2016) – Orlando Health today announced temporary changes to operating hours at all of its facilities as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

“Hurricane Matthew is expected to bring significant rain and dangerous winds to Central Florida,” said David Strong, president and CEO, Orlando Health. “Our goal with these changes is to keep our patients, guests and team members safe.”

All Orlando Health physician practices will close at noon on Thursday, October 6. They will remain closed Friday. We expect they will reopen Monday, October 10 depending on the condition of the offices. This includes the Orlando Health Physician Group, Orlando Health Physician Associates, Orlando Health Pediatric Associates, West Orange Physician Group, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Specialty Practices, and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies Specialty Practices. Each office will contact patients whose appointments must be changed to reschedule at a later date.

Hospitals and outpatient centers that perform diagnostic or elective procedures or treatments will close by mid-afternoon Thursday, October 6. Scheduled procedures on Thursday will be performed as planned for patients anticipated to be fully recovered by 3:00 p.m. Patients who are scheduled for procedures that require extended recovery periods will be contacted by the facilities to reschedule the appointment.

Orlando Health’s emergency departments and Level One Trauma Centers will remain fully open and operational. Corporate offices will close by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6 and, we anticipate, will reopen at their regularly scheduled times effective Monday, October 10.

“We understand this is an inconvenience for patients,” added Mr. Strong. “We will make every effort to accommodate patients whose schedule has been interrupted by this massive storm.”

Orlando Health is fully prepared to successfully maintain operations throughout the storm’s duration. The organization has ample hurricane supplies including medications, food, fuel, water, emergency power capabilities, communication equipment, and more. The organization will implement its emergency procedures including the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) and the Hospital Emergency Response Teams at 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. respectively, Thursday, October 6.

Community members in need of a storm shelter should contact their County Emergency Management offices for the nearest shelter locations.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a $2.4 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a community-based network of physician practices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers throughout Central Florida. The organization is home to the area’s only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics and is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. More than 2,000 physicians have privileges at Orlando Health, which is also one of the area’s largest employers with more than 15,000 employees who serve nearly 2 million Central Florida residents and more than 4,500 international patients annually.  Additionally, Orlando Health provides nearly $235 million in support of community health needs.  More information can be found at www.orlandohealth.com.