Andy Romine, ShorePoint Health CEO, Issues the Health System's 2022 Community Benefit Report

4/3/2023

I write today with gratitude for the skilled and compassionate physicians, nurses and other team members of ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda who support the health and well-being of our patients, even when disaster strikes.

In September, our community faced the most devastating natural disaster it has seen in almost 20 years when Hurricane Ian hit, and ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte was the only access point for care in Charlotte County. For seven days, we were the only hospital in nearly 30 miles providing care and housing staff when other facilities were unable to accept patients due to storm damage or utility failure. I am so proud of our ShorePoint Health teams that remained on duty to serve the healthcare needs of residents and others during and after the storm.

In 2022, care was provided at more than 228,000 patient encounters, including more than 49,000 emergency department visits, more than 13,000 inpatient admissions and more than 9,000 surgeries. Over 156,000 patients received care across the ShorePoint Medical Group physician clinics, imaging departments, and ancillary outpatient facilities. Joy was delivered to local families with the birth of more than 600 babies.

Beyond providing clinical care, our health system is a cornerstone of the economic health of the community as a major employer and tax-payer and through resources used to strengthen the medical services available close to home. These include capital projects totaling more than $7 million including repairing and renovating our hospitals and clinics following Hurricane Ian, adding maternal-fetal artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring technology to enhance care for our mothers and babies, and the addition of new robotic surgical equipment at both hospitals. Access to care has increased by the recruitment of specialist physicians, meaning more care is available locally.

We provided over $118 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And $7.9 million paid in property, sales and GRT taxes helps support civic resources and services. We also are pleased to provide donations and work with local charitable and community organizations such as the United Way, the Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, and local Chambers of Commerce through more than $70,000 in donations and outreach.

Our payroll of more than $115 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services, making the economy healthier as well. Last year, our hospitals added enhanced benefits to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals, including assistance with student loan repayments, reimbursement of licensure and certification expenses, as well as tuition reimbursement.

And to ensure a strong healthcare workforce in the future, we are fostering the growth of student nurses in our community. ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte serves as the teaching hospital for Jersey College of Nursing by training individuals who are pursuing nursing degrees to serve the Charlotte County region. Our first class of nurses graduated in January of 2023.

Each of these initiatives and investments helps make Charlotte County healthier. We are honored to be part of the community and are extremely proud of our hospital’s $269 million community impact in 2022.

View the Full 2022 Community Benefit Report

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