From Staff Reports

COLUMBUS— AdventHealth, headquartered in Florida, has signed a definitive agreement to assume management of independent St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, N.C.,” Asheville television station WLOS (New 13) reported on Aug. 19.

“Once the transition is complete, the hospital will be renamed AdventHealth Polk,” News 13 added.

St. Luke’s is a critical access hospital serving Western Carolina,” the website www.HealthCareFinanceNews.com noted on Aug. 22. “The agreement also includes several physician and ambulatory care clinics.”

Further, the website stated, “The transition to AdventHealth Polk should be completed in October. Until then, current management will remain in place and there will be a smooth transition for all team members, physicians and consumers, the health system said.

“In June, the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the changes to St. Luke’s current lease agreement necessary for the transition. AdventHealth Polk will join AdventHealth Hendersonville, located in neighboring Henderson County, in providing care to Western North Carolina,” www.HealthCareFinanceNews.com noted

Regarding the takeover of St. Luke’s Hospital, Brandon Nudd, president and CEO for AdventHealth Hendersonville, stated the following:

“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.”