Adventist Health System has announced it will not appeal a judge's ruling to undo the merger between the health system's Florida Hospital in Orlando and Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., according to a News-Journal report.
The hospital is expected to soon return to public control. Adventist is currently working to outline a plan for returning the hospital's governance to a hospital district board, according to the report.
On Feb. 24, a Circuit Court judge ruled that Bert Fish's attempt to rehold meetings about the merger after it had been found in violation of the state's Sunshine Law, did not "cure" the violation. The state's Sunshine Law establishes a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or authorities.
The ruling was the outcome of a lawsuit alleging Sunshine Law violations filed by the Bert Fish Foundation, which has been partially funded by spurned Bert Fish suitor Halifax Health.
If Bert Fish does not appeal the ruling, it will likely begin anew the merger process.
Read the News-Journal report on Adventist Health.
Read more coverage on Bert Fish Medical Center:
- Judge Overturns Bert Fish, Adventist Merger Due to Sunshine Law Violations
- Bert Fish's Sunshine Violation During Merger Ruled Unintentional
- Judge Rules Bert Fish Merger Violated Florida Sunshine Law
The hospital is expected to soon return to public control. Adventist is currently working to outline a plan for returning the hospital's governance to a hospital district board, according to the report.
On Feb. 24, a Circuit Court judge ruled that Bert Fish's attempt to rehold meetings about the merger after it had been found in violation of the state's Sunshine Law, did not "cure" the violation. The state's Sunshine Law establishes a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or authorities.
The ruling was the outcome of a lawsuit alleging Sunshine Law violations filed by the Bert Fish Foundation, which has been partially funded by spurned Bert Fish suitor Halifax Health.
If Bert Fish does not appeal the ruling, it will likely begin anew the merger process.
Read the News-Journal report on Adventist Health.
Read more coverage on Bert Fish Medical Center:
- Judge Overturns Bert Fish, Adventist Merger Due to Sunshine Law Violations
- Bert Fish's Sunshine Violation During Merger Ruled Unintentional
- Judge Rules Bert Fish Merger Violated Florida Sunshine Law