Adventist Health tabs Ed Noseworthy as CEO for Bert Fish Medical Center replacing Bob Williams

Ed Noseworthy, shown far left, in this courtesy photo is the new CEO of Bert Fish Medical Center, effective Jan. 2. He replaces Bob Williams, shown here in the near photo by Headline Surfewr seated to the left of Dr. Tom Olmby, chairman of the Southeast Volusia  Hospital Taxing District.

By HENRY FREDERICK
Headline Surfer

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Ed Noseworthy, current administrator for 225-bed Florida Hospital East Orlando, has accepted the position of CEO for Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach.

He will officially assume responsibilities on Jan. 2, replacing CEO Bob Williams, who has been at the helm five years and through the recent merger with the Adventist.

The announcement was made at 8:27 this morning in a pres release to local media by Adventist spokeswoman Sara Brady.

The appointment comes days after a circuit judge ruled Bert Fish broke the Sunshine laws by holding a series of meetings over merger talks outside of the public, which led to a public vote to merge with Adventist Health, the umbrella corporation for Florida Hospital.

However, the judge, Richard Graham, has yet to rule whether a "cure" or do-over process by Bert Fish in public, is enough to overcome the Sunshine violation and potentially disallow the merger. The suit challenging the merger, was brought by the Bert Fish Hospital Foundation, which was denied a request for a temporary injunction barring the merger while the suit is pending.

Williams is expected to receive more than $1 million from a little known clause in his contract signed with the hospital's board of trustees when he was hired should he be out of a job. The golden parachute pays for three years' worth of salary plus benefits. The salary amount of his successor was not released.

Noseworthy has served with Adventist Health System for more than 29 years, in various roles including administrator of Florida Hospital DeLand, administrative director of management and support services at Florida Hospital Celebration Health, administrative director of nutritional services at Florida Hospital and associate director of nutritional services at Hinsdale Hospital.

Since joining Florida Hospital East Orlando in 2004, Noseworthy has guided the $90 million patient tower expansion, renovated and grown the OR, as well as led the hospital towards a 33% growth in admissions and 31% growth in ED Visits.

“Ed has been a tremendous asset to Florida Hospital and we are looking forward to utilizing his dynamic abilities here at Bert Fish Medical Center,” said Daryl Tol, President/CEO of Adventist Health System’s Volusia/Flagler Region and Board Chairman for Bert Fish Medical Center. “In addition to his operational successes, he infuses a passion and energy for our mission of extending Christ’s healing ministry that will help seamlessly transition Bert Fish Medical Center into our network of care.”

Noseworthy’s first priorities will be to reinforce community partnerships, continue the transition of the hospital with Adventist Health System functions and systems, assess the hospital’s needs for success and strengthen the cancer and cardiac programs.

Noseworthy and his wife Shawn, who have two grown children, are looking forward to the opportunities this transition will bring.

“Our family has been richly blessed by our time here in Orlando,”  Noseworthy said in a written statement released by Brady. “I am excited about returning to Volusia County, reconnecting with the community and working with such a skilled and professional team of people that are all unified in our mission to serve.”