An uninsured woman received full medical care at AdventHealth Fish Memorial after suffering a heart attack, highlighting the hospital’s approach to providing treatment regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
Summer Sullivan recounted her experience seeing her mother, Cinamon, in the intensive care unit. “It was the first time I’d ever seen someone on a ventilator,” Sullivan said. “And it was my mom.”
Cinamon spent 22 days in the hospital, facing both serious health challenges and the fear of mounting medical bills without insurance. “Mom told me that we should let her go,” Sullivan said. “It wasn’t because she didn’t want to keep living, it was because of the scary burden of bills without having insurance.”
AdventHealth Fish Memorial provided Cinamon with comprehensive care from the ICU through rehabilitation. The family said that the focus remained on recovery rather than finances. “Knowing mom could focus solely on healing changed everything for us,” Sullivan said.
AdventHealth’s financial assistance programs are designed to provide relief during critical moments. According to the Lown Institute, the health system is recognized as one of the most generous in the country regarding financial aid.
Cinamon’s hospital and rehabilitation costs, which lasted over five weeks, were fully covered by AdventHealth and a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The foundation supports community well-being through philanthropy.
Dr. Stephen Knych, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Fish Memorial, said the hospital’s approach reflects its mission. “As a not-for-profit health system, AdventHealth doesn’t distribute profits to shareholders. Instead, our earnings are reinvested into advancing care, improving access, and supporting the well-being of our community,” Knych said. “Caring for the uninsured and underinsured isn’t a sideline effort; it is core to who we are.”
In 2023, AdventHealth contributed more than $16 billion to Florida’s economy, including significant funding for community programs and unreimbursed care. The hospital’s efforts go beyond patient care. Every three years, AdventHealth conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in partnership with other organizations to guide investments in mental health, food insecurity, housing, transportation, and access to care.
Cinamon’s case was supported by both AdventHealth’s financial assistance program and a community grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. These resources align with CHNA priorities to improve access for uninsured patients.
“Our commitment to the community means thinking beyond hospital walls,” Knych said. “It’s about building a future where everyone has the chance to live healthier, regardless of their circumstances.”
Cinamon has since returned home and is recovering without medical debt.
AdventHealth Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, was founded in 1908. The hospital’s current president is Terry Shaw. AdventHealth Orlando features a pediatric ward and serves as a training hospital.
