Orlando Health Expands Relationships with Three Local Physician Groups

Orlando, FL (August 26, 2014) – Orlando Health has expanded its relationships with three independent physician groups:Central Florida Endocrine and Diabetes Consultants, Central Florida Gastroenterology, and Colon and Rectal Clinic of Orlando (CRC). The agreements are designed to enhance the quality of patient care throughout Central Florida.

“These three local practices will strengthen the services we provide to patients by delivering high quality, collaborative care that will improve health outcomes,” said Cynthia Powell, MD, president, Orlando Health Physician Group.

“In today’s ever-changing healthcare environment, these affiliations reflect the importance of working with our community physicians and medical practices in a manner that benefits patients while controlling costs,” added Wayne Jenkins, MD, MPH, senior vice president, Orlando Health.

Central Florida Endocrine and Diabetes Consultants specializes in treating diabetes, thyroid and other endocrine disorders. Drs. Sohail H. Ali, MD; Penny S. Glickman, MD; Carlos A. Pacheco, MD; and Neha P. Rickson, MD form the practice and all are board certified in the sub-specialty of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism. Central Florida Endocrine and Diabetes Consultants is fully certified by the American Diabetes Association as a Diabetes Education Center and is one of very few centers locally that meets the national standards for diabetes self-management. The practice has a Maitland location and recently opened a satellite office on the second floor of the Orlando Health Heart Institute in downtown Orlando.

“Our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing a lifetime of care to our patients to help manage these chronic conditions,” said Dr. Pacheco. “This agreement will enable us to work more collaboratively across Orlando Health’s extensive network when patients need acute care or additional services.”

The Central Florida Gastroenterology practice specializes in gastroenterology and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, small bowel, colon and rectum. Drs. Avanish Aggarwal, MD; Sudhir Bhaskar, MD, FACG; Steve Brint, MD; Richard Dumois, MD, FACG; Steven Feiner, DO, AGAF; Kenneth Feuer, MD; and Glen Vander Zalm, MD are Diplomates of the American Board of Internal Medicine in the subspecialty of Gastroenterology. They are joined by physician assistant Tina Bruefach, PA-C and nurse practitioners Mike Jolly, ARNP; Sally Miller, ARNP; and Jason Roy, MSN, ARNP. Central Florida Gastroenterology operates eight offices across Central Florida, including Orlando, Lake Nona, Ocoee, Maitland and the Dr. Phillips area.

“Everyone at Orlando Health has shown they are committed to working collaboratively with physician groups like ours to do what is best for patients,” said Dr. Bhaskar, section chief of gastroenterology for Orlando Regional Medical Center. “Their commitment mirrors our promise to provide patients with the highest quality of personalized care and the best medical options available.”

The Colon and Rectal Clinic of Orlando specializes in the treatment and surgery of colon and rectum conditions, diseases, and cancers. Drs. Samuel DeJesus, MD; Andrea Ferrara, MD; Joseph T. Gallagher, MD; Renee J. Mueller, MD; Mark K. Soliman, MD; and Paul R. Williamson, MD form the practice and all are board certified in colorectal surgery and general surgery. Together, CRC and Orlando Health operate one of the few colon and rectal surgery training programs in the nation that is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

The practice has five locations, including one on Orlando Health’s downtown campus and one at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee. Now, CRC physicians will be handling colorectal cases for Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and are available immediately to take consults and see patients there.

“This expanded relationship with Orlando Health is a natural step in what has been a very positive relationship for several years,” said Dr. Williamson, co-section leader for Surgical Oncology and section leader for the Department of Colon & Rectal Surgery for UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health. “It presents even more opportunities for us to work together to enhance patient care and medical education in our community.”

These expanded relationships meet Orlando Health’s goal of improving patient access to healthcare services. They also will improve the quality of patient care by implementing collaborative programs and analyses, such as tracking quality outcomes and efficiencies, designing new models of care for chronic conditions and managing healthcare costs for all patients.

The agreements do not alter the status of the three practices or any of Orlando Health’s employed physician practices.

# # #

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a $3.4 billion not-for-profit healthcare organization with more than 2,400 beds serving Central Florida and beyond. Consisting of eight wholly-owned or affiliated hospitals and rehabilitation centers, Orlando Health has 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. They are: Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC); Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies; Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center; Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital; Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital; Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital; Orlando Health South Lake Hospital; affiliate, St. Cloud Regional Medical Center.

The organization includes Orlando Health Medical Group and Orlando Health Physician Associates, two of the region’s largest multi-specialty practices; a renowned cancer center – Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center (with free-standing sites in downtown Orlando, the Dr. Phillips community in southwest Orlando, Lake Mary, Ocoee and Clermont); four outpatient surgery centers; 10 wholly-owned, affiliated or partnership urgent care centers; and a majority interest in an entity operating five outpatient imaging centers.

More than 2,900 physicians have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which is also one of the area’s largest employers with more than 20,000 employees who support our philosophy of providing high-quality care and service that revolves around patients’ needs. Orlando Health proves this everyday with more than 112,000 inpatient admissions, more than 2.4 million outpatient visits and more than 10,000 international patients each year. Additionally, Orlando Health provides more than $450 million in total value to the community in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more.