AdventHealth Palm Coast Ushering In the Future of Healthcare
PALM COAST, Fla. – As Flagler County continues to grow so do the opportunities. Adding to their roster of leading physicians, AdventHealth Palm Coast held a meet and greet for select invited guests this fall that put a spotlight on the rock star talent being recruited to the multi-state health care system.
In an interview on WNZF's Lifeline radio show, Dr. Abubaker Ali, known to friends and colleagues as 'Triple A', discussed his shared vision, praising regional administrators like Dr. Audrey Gregory and Denyse Bales-Chubb for helping set the bar high as they plan for the future.
Dr. Ali's credentials are exemplary. As a medical doctor, a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) where he is the Co-Chair of the Robotics Committee, he finds joy in instructing classes of fellows in robotic procedures each year. An expert in his field, he has performed over 1,300 robotic procedures during his career.
"I'm excited to introduce the exceptional physicians who are pioneering the use of this technology right here in Flagler and St. Johns County," said Bales-Chubb, who serves as the President and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast and market CEO for Flagler/St. Johns in the Central Florida Division.
Dr. Ali's enthusiasm for his work is infectious. During his presentation to community members, his disarming humor and skill were on full display as guests watched demonstrations of his past procedures on video as he narrated.
Communicating a passion for enhancing the quality of care not just for his patients but for all patients of AdventHealth Palm Coast made him approachable to guests interested in learning more about the future of healthcare in the region.
Just one among a deep bench of talented surgeons on the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, Dr. Ali recognized colleagues like general surgeon Dr. Matt Wideroff, new to the area with over 800 robotic procedures to his credit, who specializes in (enjoys really is the word) the challenge of hernia repairs, cardiothoracic expert Dr. Patrick Mangonon, gynecology's Dr. Steven Brown, urology's Dr. Tony Highshaw, general surgeon Jessica Marshall, and beloved general surgeon Dr. Steven Bower.
The surgical team is setting the bar high for the future of health care in the northeast and central Florida. Ready to help develop the next generation of healthcare leaders in Palm Coast, they are committed to delivering the highest quality care to patients today in their own community.
During the event, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Patrick Mangonon announced the team's goal of performing cardiothoracic surgery within the AdventHealth Palm Coast locations by the year 2026. Currently primarily located in Daytona Beach, he's optimistic the talent and training are being put in place to make the goal a reality.
"That's a vision that I have, obviously something close to my heart. As a cardiac surgeon I think that the team here at the hospital, and the team is a big team, administration, nursing, ancillary staff, services that are provided will elevate their level of performance at all levels such that we can become something like the hospital I'm at now at Daytona Beach and add that level of care to this community," shared Dr. Mangonon.
The goals of AdventHealth Palm Coast align with the efforts of the City of Palm Coast to create a medical hub and center of excellence through collaborative partnerships with Flagler Schools and the region's colleges and universities including Daytona State College, the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University already serving as partners.
"It's more of a programmatic development and growth, like for a heart surgeon to do heart surgery here, you don't just need a room or an anesthesiologist. You need nursing staff that know how to take care of a patient before the surgery and after the surgery," explained Dr. Mangonon.
"At Daytona we're really growing our program to another level of care. We partner with Daytona State College so that those students coming straight out of training are doing internships and training episodes at the hospital. If the philosophy resonates with them and they like the camaraderie, they stay. The vast majority of them are staying as being part of the program," he said.
Denyse Bales-Chubb, CEO of the Palm Coast and St. Johns Markets sees the addition of the new Palm Coast Parkway location, the upcoming opening of the Freytag Cancer Center, and the vision of providers like Dr. Ali and Dr. Mangonon, as the next step in the AdventHealth evolution of healthcare.
"Some of these physicians are not only new to our community but bring with them world class expertise and training in robotic assisted surgery, elevating the level of care available to our community. We are proud to highlight the talents and dedication of these doctors who are leading the way in making AdventHealth a center of excellence for robotic surgery."
"At some point in time, you know, we hear every once in a while, it's just a little community hospital. Well, we are no longer just a little community hospital."
