Orlando Health has significantly broadened its collaboration with Doctors’ Center Hospital, extending their partnership to encompass four hospitals and a free-standing emergency department across Puerto Rico. This expansion builds upon the initial joint venture established in October 2022, marking a deeper integration between the two healthcare systems.
The original partnership saw Orlando Health and Doctors’ Center Hospital come together to rebrand Sabanera Health Dorado as Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Dorado. This 105-bed acute care facility, launched in March 2022, became the first of several Doctors Center locations to incorporate the Orlando Health name, signaling a new era of healthcare collaboration on the island.
This expanded alliance now includes Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – San Juan, Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Bayamón, Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Manatí, and Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – San Fernando de la Carolina. Furthermore, the partnership extends to Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Arecibo, an ambulatory diagnostic and treatment center, illustrating the comprehensive nature of this healthcare network.
“Orlando Health is thrilled to deepen our partnership with Doctors’ Center Hospital, a leading health system in Puerto Rico,” stated David Strong, president & CEO of Orlando Health. “This expanded collaboration presents a valuable opportunity for us to collectively enhance patient care, improve healthcare accessibility throughout the island, and streamline the continuity of care for patients transitioning between Puerto Rico and Central Florida. By working closely with Doctors center, we are committed to elevating the standard of healthcare available to the communities we serve.”
Dr. Carlos Blanco, Chairman of Doctors’ Center Hospital, echoed this sentiment, “Our long-term vision centers on delivering premier medical care at both the local and global levels. This partnership with Orlando Health will significantly enhance our capabilities, allowing us to incorporate their renowned best practices and expertise into our operations at Doctors center. Our dedicated personnel, along with our extensive network of over 600 physicians within the Doctors’ Center system, will greatly benefit from the world-class knowledge that Orlando Health brings. This collaboration will also serve as a catalyst for attracting new healthcare professionals to the Island, including Puerto Rican physicians seeking to return, thereby strengthening our local healthcare infrastructure and ultimately providing enhanced services for our patients at every Doctors center location.”
The collaboration extends beyond branding and facility integration, focusing on tangible improvements in patient care and clinical excellence. Joint initiatives are underway to enhance the quality of medical services, develop advanced clinical programs, and invest in the ongoing education and training of both medical professionals and support staff across the Doctors center network. A key early success of this partnership is the establishment of a state-of-the-art robotic surgery center at Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Dorado, facilitated by the expertise of Orlando Health physicians.
Building on this momentum, Orlando Health recently hosted a Robotic Surgery Symposium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This event served as a platform for leading experts to share insights on advanced surgical techniques across diverse specialties, including colorectal, gynecologic, bariatric, hernia repair, thoracic, lung cancer, and urological reconstructive surgeries. This symposium underscores the commitment of both organizations to advancing medical knowledge and surgical capabilities within the Doctors center framework.
“We eagerly anticipate further collaboration on the development of innovative health services throughout the island and the continued exchange of vital medical knowledge through impactful events like the Robotic Surgery Symposium,” concluded Strong. The partnership between Orlando Health and Doctors’ Center Hospital signifies a major step forward in strengthening Puerto Rico’s healthcare landscape and ensuring patients have access to high-quality medical care at Doctors center facilities across the region.
