Florida Hospital System (see more articles like this)

Donald L. Jernigan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Hospital, was elected today by the Board of Directors of Adventist Health System to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Adventist Health System.  Jernigan will assume full responsibilities on March 1, 2006, when Thomas L. Werner officially retires as President/CEO.

“This is a tremendous honor and opportunity,” said Jernigan.  “After serving Florida Hospital for more than six years I am confident in the leadership in place and know that I am leaving Florida Hospital in the best of hands.” Jernigan added “There is no higher honor than leading at Florida Hospital, and the single most important reason is the talent, professionalism, and commitment our employees have to extending the healing ministry of Christ”. 

Jernigan currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Hospital and the Florida Division and Executive Vice President of Adventist Health System.  He will continue to work with Florida Hospital as the Chairman of their board.  Under his leadership, Florida Hospital undertook one of the largest expansion projects in its history.  He formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of the Multistate Hospital Division, President of Tennessee Christian Medical Center and Adventist Health System’s Tennessee/Georgia region.  Jernigan also previously served as Senior Vice President of Adventist Health System and President of Metroplex Hospital in Killeen, Texas.

Jernigan has a doctor of philosophy degree in physical chemistry from Baylor University and a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Texas-Arlington.  He is a Diplomat of the American college of Healthcare Executives, board member of the Florida Hospital Association, Enterprise Florida, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, and WMFE.  Jernigan has served on the boards of United Way and several chambers of commerce, as well as many other healthcare boards.

A nominating committee from the Adventist Health System Board began an evaluation process after Werner’s retirement announcement on November 10, 2005.  The committee presented the Board with their recommendation today at the Adventist Health System corporate office.

“It has been a rewarding experience for me to serve in leadership positions with Don Jernigan,” said Werner.  “I have no doubt that his leadership of Adventist Health System will result in an organization with an unwavering commitment to extend the healing ministry of Christ to the many communities to which our Seventh-day Adventist hospitals have the privilege to serve.”

Jernigan’s successor at Florida Hospital will be appointed by the Adventist Health System Board of Directors next week.