Emory Adventist Hospital is a 100-bed, not-for-profit hospital with 88 acute-care beds and 12 skilled nursing beds. The primary care-focused hospital is operated by AHS as a joint venture with EUSHC. AHS holds a 65 percent interest in the joint venture corporation and manages the daily operations of the hospital, while the Emory system holds a 35 percent interest and manages the hospital's satellite facilities.
"The new name sends a clear message that the joint venture partners are committed to the hospital and its success," Luce said. "Whether working together for managed care contracting or seeking ways to bring greater continuity of care to the residents of Cobb County, both entities have declared their dedication by affixing their names to the hospital."
Donald L. Jernigan, AHS executive vice president, said the hospital board selected the name because it reflects "the deep commitment of both partners to the joint venture. The new name benefits from the Adventists' experience in operating a strong community hospital and Emory's reputation in the Atlanta medical community."
"Emory is proud to have its name attached to Emory-Adventist Hospital and linked in this highly visible way with Adventist Health System Sunbelt," said Charles R. Hatcher Jr., vice president for Health Affairs, director of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and chief executive officer of EUHSC.
"The renaming of this hospital signifies commitment to working with the Adventist Health System to assure that patients in this area continue to have options for high quality care in their community. Emory-Adventist Hospital is a strong addition to Emory's growing patient care and teaching program. We have much to offer to and much to learn from this outstanding community hospital."
Rein Saral, director of The Emory Clinic and EUHSC president, also expressed his satisfaction in the new linkage. "The Emory Clinic has experienced a wonderful partnership with Emory-Adventist Hospital over the past two years. Emory Clinic physicians in the Emory Heart Center at Smyrna, the Emory Urology Center at Smyrna and The Sinus Center have been extremely pleased with the level of care they have been able to provide in a setting convenient to patients," Saral said. Emory also opened the Emory Spine Center at Smyrna in September, which is on the campus of the Emory-Adventist Hospital.
-- Merri Sheffield