Chaired SE Volusia hospital authority board in wake of merger lawsuit scandal
Jan. 27, 1937 - Jan. 8, 2013
Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / Jacqueline "Jackie" Herchek, is shown here in 2011, outside Circuit Judge Richard Graham's courtroom in Daytona Beach during the civil trial against Bert Fish Hospital's authority merger. She was briefly the board chairwoman after the suit and continued to serve as a board member until her passing Tuesday.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A memorial service will be held Monday at the Coronado United Methodist Church for Jacqueline (Jackie) Kay Herchek, of New Smyrna Beach, former board chairwoman of the Southeast Volusia Hospital Authority, who died four days ago of complications from a brain aneurysm. She was 75.
Admirers of Herchek like New Smyrna Beach resident Bob Tolley learned of her passing in an obituary notice published today.
Jackie Herchek was first class," Tolley said. "The lady was a rock and champion of the community."
Joe Benedict, current board chairman of the hospital authority, remembered her as "a very fine lady dedicated to the hospital and its people," who continued to serve on the board right up until her death, adding, "she will be missed."
Herchek was a staunch supporter of Bert Fish Medical Center, who continued to serve on the board, even during the major lawsuit two years ago when she stepped up to the plate as chairwoman despite her deteriorating health.
She and Tom DeSimone were the only board members to remain in the wake of the hospital merger scandal in 2010, where the authority twice voted to merge with Florida Hospital's parent company, Adventist Health System. Herchek was briefly chairwoman of the board in 2011 during the transition split with Adventist when then-chair Dr. Tom Omby's term expired.
Gov. Scott subsequently filled the remaining expiring seats on the board, leaving only Herchek and DeSimone, who could not be reached for comment, as holdovers.
The "do-over" came after the Bert Fish Foundation, which originally gave the hospital to taxpayers in 1966, filed suit, claiming the merger was illegal under the "Government-in-the-Sunshine" laws, which require open meetings and records for agencies that receive public money.
Circuit Judge Richard Graham ruled that the first merger vote May 27, 2011, violated the law because it resulted from 21 closed-door meetings in violation of Florida's government in the Sunshine statutes since the hospital was receiving taxpayer-supported indigent care.
Those closed-door meetings were orchestrated by then-Bert Fish CEO Bob Williams and board attorney Tom Heekin, whose law firm later settled a lawsuit with the board acknowledging negligence. Williams walked away with a $1 million-plus golden parachute. The Adventist pulled out and Bert Fish remains without a partner as it struggles to continue its operations.
New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, who has received extensive funding from Bert Fish for his annual Mayor's Fitness Challenge as well as for the city's annual BalloonFest, did not return a message for comment on Herchek's passing.
Video by Serafina Frederick published June 26, 2011. / Jackie Herchek spoke with Headline Surfer (then known as NSBNews.net) during the final stages of the lawsuit brought by the Bert Fish Foundation against the hospital merger with Adventist.
Obituary
Jacqueline (Jackie) Kay Herchek, of New Smyrna Beach, who died Jan. 8, 2013, at the age of 73, was the youngest daughter of John Wright and Mary Elizabeth David, born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 27, 1937.
She is survived by her children and their families, Melissa (Dan) Goldthwaite of South Hampton, N.H. and John (Teresa) Purdy of Savannah, Ga.; three stepsons, Gary (Debra) Herchek of Concord, Mass., James Herchek of Atlanta, Ga., and Tom (Sue) Herchek of Blue Bell, Pa.; 12 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 34 years, Robert Andrew Herchek (2007), and her two sisters, Marian Irene Grayson (2001) and Cecilia Mae Roberts (Dec. 17, 2012). Jackie lived each day to the fullest. She loved to spend time with her many friends and her family. She loved to play cards, go on cruises, and watch Ohio State football (her husband's alma mater).
She was a beloved grandmother who will be so deeply missed. She recently celebrated the arrival of two more great-grandchildren in 2012, and she had dubbed herself "G-G."
Jackie was an incredible survivor. She had battled through two brain aneurysms and stage 4 lung cancer. She was a fighter and went full throttle up until the morning that she passed. Jackie had lived in New Smyrna Beach since 1990, and had been an incredibly active member of the community and dedicated much of her time to Bert Fish Medical Center.
Jackie began her involvement with Bert Fish as a volunteer in 1994, serving as president of the auxiliary from 1999-2001. She, along with her husband, Bob, were also very involved with the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation and served on that board for several years. Jackie and her husband Bob were named the Foundation's first "Philanthropists of the Year" at a ceremony in November 2008.
Over the years, the Herchek's contributions benefited key patient care services that included the Regional Cancer Center and ICU. In 2005, Jackie was appointed to serve on the Southeast Volusia Hospital District Board, followed by reappointment in 2009, where she was currently serving. She was dedicated to fiscal responsibility for the District and the Hospital while providing for the under-insured, uninsured and indigent care in the community. Jackie was also active in the New Smyrna Beach Shrine Club.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held 1 p.m. Monday, January 14, at the Coronado United Methodist Church, 201 South Peninsula Avenue, New Smyrna Beach.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation/Oncology Center, 401 Palmetto St., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 or to the Coronado United Methodist Church, 201 South Peninsula Ave., New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169.
