St. Luke’s in Columbus will soon be AdventHealth Polk

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — AdventHealth plans to assume management of St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus and its related facilities later this year.

AdventHealth officials announced Monday the health care facility had recently signed a definitive agreement to assume management of St. Luke’s Hospital, “a top-rated, community-owned critical access hospital serving the Western Carolinas.” The agreement also includes several physician and ambulatory care clinics.

In June, the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the changes necessary to St. Luke’s lease agreement to make the transition possible, according to a news release from AdventHealth, one of the nation’s largest faith-based health systems.

“We are excited about the opportunity to offer our unique promise of whole-person care to this community and look forward to working with and caring for the team members, physicians, patients and residents of Polk County and the surrounding area,” AdventHealth CEO and President Terry Shaw said in the release.

Once the transition happens, AdventHealth will rename the hospital AdventHealth Polk to reflect its national network and brand.

“AdventHealth and our team in Hendersonville are looking forward to having the exceptional St. Luke’s team as partners in caring for the people of Western North Carolina. Our hospitals share a legacy of providing high-quality, faith-based care that focuses on the whole-person – body, mind and spirit,” AdventHealth Hendersonville CEO and President Brandon Nudd said in the release.

The transition to AdventHealth Polk should be complete in October, pending government and regulatory approvals, the news release said. Until then, current management will remain in place.

AdventHealth is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all team members, physicians, and consumers, maintaining the high standards of care for which St. Luke’s Hospital is known.

“St. Luke’s has been the community’s leader in health care services for nearly a century and a model for critical access hospitals in the Southeast. We look forward to being part of AdventHealth’s national care network and continuing to deliver high-quality health care in a consumer-centric manner as AdventHealth Polk,” said Bill Miller, St. Luke’s Hospital Board Member and Chair.