A Letter from Lori Wellbaum Emery, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, HCA Florida Englewood Hospital

January 4, 2023

I have been privileged to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for HCA Florida Englewood Hospital for six years. For the past three years, I have served as the chairperson. As my tenure ends, I want to reflect with gratitude on the outstanding accomplishments of the providers, nurses, other caregivers, and leaders in the face of significant challenges over the past few years.
 
Englewood Hospital has expanded access to healthcare to respond to the growing community's needs. They have just completed a $10 million renovation to the Emergency Department, increasing patient care areas from 8 to 18, which included new endoscopy and bronchoscopy suites. They have also opened HCA Florida Wellen Park Medical Office in the third-fastest-growing master-planned community in the nation.
 
Every day, the providers and caregivers at Englewood Hospital show up for patients with a commitment to providing top-quality, patient-centered care. The hospital received its 21st consecutive "A" patient safety grade from The Leapfrog Group in Fall 2022 and is one of only two hospitals in Florida to achieve this milestone. The other hospital is on the east coast and boasts 22 "A" grades. The Emergency Department was voted #1 every year since 2012 by the readers of the Daily Sun in Englewood, even though there are multiple options for Emergency services within twenty miles of the hospital. Among other awards, the hospital attained Five-Star ratings for Coronary Interventional Procedures, Treatment of Diabetic Emergencies, and Hip Fracture Treatment from Healthgrades. The Joint Commission awarded the hospital an Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. 
 
The hospital introduced new technologies to serve patients better. Mammography was upgraded to 3D images to improve comfort for patients and the clarity of images for physicians. Blue Light Cystoscopy, an innovative approach to identifying non-muscle invasive bladder cancer tumors, is now offered. And Robotic Assisted surgery has allowed trained surgeons to perform more than 700 general and gynecological surgeries at the hospital.
 
Providers, nurses, and caregivers rose to the challenge of a pandemic by caring for nearly 800 patients with COVID-19. They again stepped up to protect and sustain exceptional care for patients while a historic hurricane passed over. 
 
Through it all, the dedication to our patients, our communities, and each other makes this a special place for healthcare.
 
Lori Wellbaum Emery, Chairperson
Board of Trustees
HCA Florida Englewood Hospital