Ascension Sacred Heart

#ICYMI: Erika's inspiring story speaks to our call to care. She was treated by our trauma and orthopedic care teams at Sacred Heart Pensacola. Watch the story to hear about her recovery following a head-on collision with a drunk driver. https://ascn.io/60420Ny82

Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf, a non-profit Catholic hospital, recently celebrated 15 years of serving the community with a Recommitment Ceremony followed by food and fellowship. During the ceremony, all associates w ere invited to recommit to our mission and values – service of the poor, reverence, integrity, wisdom, creativity and dedication. After the ceremony there w as a blessing of the hands where our spiritual care team prays over the hands of those who serve. The hospital was opened in response to the closure of another healthcare facility, through the support of Ascension and the St. Joe Community Foundation with a vision of advancing health care in the community. I n Fiscal Year 2024, Sacred Heart Gulf's Care of the Poor was $5.5 million. The team was awarded the 2024 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective.

Sacred Heart hospital presidents participated in The Florida Hospital Association Hospital Days this week. Leaders met with state legislators to share success stories and advocate for the health needs of the communities we serve. Pictured: Representative Michelle Salzman, District 1, Trey Abshier, President and CEO of Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Kelly Beach, Administrator and CNO for Sacred Heart Gulf, and Robin Godwin, President and CEO of Sacred Heart Bay.

We welcome Dr. Ellington to the team at Sacred Heart Pensacola!

When SpaceX’s Crew-8 members needed medical assistance after 235 days in space, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola was ready, becoming the first civilian hospital in NASA’s 60-year history to provide medical care to astronauts. The event highlighted the Level 1 trauma center’s readiness and capability to handle medical emergencies, ranging from the routine to the extraordinary. At a post-flight news conference in Houston, NASA recognized Ascension Sacred Heart for their exceptional care of the astronauts. Read about the shining moment for our care teams: https://ascn.io/6187LFqsh Kelsey Deason, director of acute services, (right of center) accepted the award on the hospital's behalf.

Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf Women’s Diagnostic Center is now open! The newly constructed space is designed with a woman’s comfort and convenience in mind. Donors, advisory board members, community members, and associates celebrated and toured the space Friday. The Women’s Center was created by the community for the community with 100% of the funding coming from the unwavering support of community philanthropy. Approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and three out of four women diagnosed have no family history. Ascension recommends that all women 40 and older get a yearly screening because early detection saves lives. Watch this video tour to see the space. See the comments to watch WMBB’s story to learn more.

This week, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola celebrated the five-year anniversary of our Grande Drive Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Center! This location has been vital to the community in offering specialized programs and rehabilitation services for orthopedic and sports injuries, congenital disorders, brain, spine and nerve conditions, traumatic injuries and more. We are so grateful to the associates and patients who helped make the evening special!

This week Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is celebrating 22 years of serving the community! As part of that celebration, associates participated in a Recommitment Ceremony and a Blessing of the Hands. Care teams at Sacred Heart Emerald Coast confirmed their dedication to our service commitments of extending kindness, listening to understand, and serving together. Associates also participated in creating a hands wall with the service commitments by placing paint on their hands and then putting it against the wall to make a collage.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - a season of inner conversion of the heart. During these 40 days, how will you make space to hear the still, small voice of God?

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay celebrated Fat Tuesday with a festive New Orleans style menu in the cafeteria. Associates and visitors enjoyed free King Cake and beads. In Catholic tradition, Fat Tuesday is a day of food and festivities before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. Pictured: Kunal Jani, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Cecily Smith, Physician Relations Manager, and Susan Holder, Executive Assistant