Florida Hospital Foundation (see more articles like this)

The gift, part of Florida Hospital Altamonte’s Centennial Campaign, will be used for expanded laser technology, robotics, and other high-tech equipment.  The new suites will support minimally invasive, specialized surgical procedures that will speed recovery times for patients, reduce pain after surgery, and leave minimal scarring.  They will also accommodate the latest technological advances.

“Florida Hospital relies on the generosity of our community to grow and to continue to provide the best healthcare,” said Terry Newmyer, chief development officer for the Florida Hospital Foundation. “This gift from Insurance Office of America will allow us to provide even better patient care using the latest surgical technologies and equipment available.”

To keep pace with the healthcare needs of the growing and aging population, Florida Hospital has determined that it will need $1.6 billion by 2010, $1 billion of which Florida Hospital will reinvest through responsible business operations.  The $600 million difference will need to come from philanthropy. That is why it is asking the Central Florida community for support.

“Philanthropy is a cornerstone of our organization, and we are proud to support the healthcare initiatives of Florida Hospital Altamonte so it can continue providing excellent care to the community,” said John Ritenour, chief executive officer of IOA.

Florida Hospital’s Centennial Campaign officially kicked off in November 2006 at Florida Hospital’s Annual Gala.    The campaign will last through the end of 2008.  At the end of 2006, Florida Hospital had raised approximately $65 million toward its goal of raising $100 million by 2008. 

To date, Florida Hospital has received 15 gifts of at least $1 million each from notable organizations such as Florida Emergency Physicians, the Winter Park Health Foundation, and Crothall Services Group.  In November 2006, Tony and Sonja Nicholson, owners of Nicholson Homes, gave a $5 million gift to Florida Hospital to create the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement.

About Insurance Office of America
As the third fastest growing agency in the country, Insurance Office of America (IOA) attributes its steady double-digit growth since its inception to the unique idea of partnering with agents.  IOA, founded by John Ritenour in 1988, believes that social responsibility and corporate philanthropy are the cornerstones of a successful company and community. 

About Florida Hospital Altamonte
Florida Hospital Altamonte is a full-service, acute-care hospital that will treat more than 160,000 patients in a year, more than any other hospital in Seminole County.  To meet the growing healthcare needs of the community, Florida Hospital Altamonte is investing more than $90 million in expanded facilities, including a six-story patient tower with 72 inpatient beds, a new 37-bed Emergency Department that opened in October 2006, 11 additional intensive care unit beds, a new lobby with a healing garden, and an 875-space parking garage.  Florida Hospital relies on the generous donations of the community to continue to provide world-class care and to expand to meet the growing needs of Central Florida.