Florida Trend Exclusive
We’re No. 1
What does it take to be the No. 1 hospital in Florida? What does it mean to be the No. 1 hospital in Florida? Ask AdventHealth Orlando, which was recently ranked as the top hospital in the state by U.S. News and World Report. The publication, which is well-known for its college and hospital rankings, examined 4,400 U.S. hospitals and ranked them according to criteria such as patient outcomes, risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. [Source: Florida Trend]
AI project poised to help more Florida communities predict and track drug use
Law enforcement now has a way of detecting waves of harmful drugs entering their communities as they're happening, as well as predicting future waves. That's because of a new AI-powered drug tracker produced by Project Overdose – a Central Florida organization focused on ending the drug and opioid crisis. DrugAlert.Ai works kind of like hurricane radar, said Andrae Bailey, the founder of Project Overdose. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Vaccines, Medicaid, and rural health dominated the health care debate
The past year saw a number of significant actions at the state and federal levels that could transform how health care is delivered and financed in 2026 and the years to come. The consequences of these choices have yet to be fully felt by Floridians. But they definitely are on the near horizon. In considering the most inportant Florida health care stories of the year, the Florida Phoenix reached out to associations that represent consumers, providers, insurers, beneficiaries, and think tanks. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Flu cases increase across Florida, US. How to tell if it's cold or flu
Flu cases are increasing across the United States. The same is true in Florida, with some counties hit harder than others. If your holiday travel plans were to New York or Colorado, know that those two states are reporting the highest number of flu cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If you stayed in Florida, you're not necessarily safe. While the Florida Department of Health reports flu cases decreasing in some counties, for most, the number of cases has been increasing. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Legislator files bill to fight the physician shortage
Rep. Yvette Benarroch filed a bill seeking to help combat the physician shortage by setting a new way for some medical professionals to get the necessary credentials. House Bill 809 would change the requirement for physicians with temporary certificates to become eligible for permanent licenses. The bill would permit graduates of medical schools who got passing scores on the certifying examination from the Puerto Rico Medical Board to get licensed in Florida if they already had temporary certificates in areas of critical need. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Sarasota Memorial Hospital on list of ‘100 Great Hospitals in America’ for 2025
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has been ranked among 100 “Great Hospitals in America” for 2025 by Becker’s Hospital Review, the hospital announced Monday. Becker’s listed what they said were 100 “standout hospitals” for clinical performance, patient safety, and an ongoing commitment to research, education and innovation, a news release said.
› Palm Beach County's largest hospital system going out of network for 13k residents
Palm Beach County’s largest hospital company is on the brink of breaking up with a national insurer claiming the insurer is relying on artificial intelligence to make patient care decisions that should be left to physicians and health care professionals. The contract between health insurance giant Cigna and Tenet Healthcare Corp., which operates 20 medical care facilities between Coconut Creek and St. Lucie County, including seven hospitals, expires Dec. 31.
› Pensacola health clinic is a lifeline for uninsured patients
When people talk about the failures of the American health care system, the stories can feel distant. Numbers. Policies. Insurance plans. For many families in Northwest Florida, the reality is much closer to home. It is a missed doctor's appointment. A prescription left unfilled. A growing fear that getting sick will cost more than they can afford. In Pensacola, a small clinic is changing that.
› South Florida facility for medically fragile children remains open to provide care during holidays
The holidays are here, which means school is out. While that's good news for most, for parents with medically fragile children, it can prove to be a challenge. The Glory To God Pediatric Extended Care Facility in Miami kept their doors open through the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeps them open when regular schools are on break for summer and the holidays.