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12.29.11 - Panel recommendations could affect MRMC funds, oversight

The Florida Commission on Review of Taxpayer Funded Hospitals has met 14 times since May and held its final session here on Thursday. It made some last-minute changes to get all eight members to sign off on the recommendations, which are due in January and which the Legislature will review.

12.28.11 - Applause: MRMC makes special donation to Salvation Army

Munroe Regional has made a donation of $5,000 to the Salvation Army this holiday season in honor of these physicians, who passed away in 2011.

12.26.11 - Program helps parents of stillborn babies

Another way to help families in the healing process and to honor the child's legacy is make them aware of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a nonprofit organization.

12.22.11 - Some proposals could hurt tax-supported hospitals

Some recommendations being considered by a commission appointed by Gov. Rick Scott could spell trouble for the state's tax-supported hospitals, a top hospital executive said Tuesday.

12.18.11 - Local United Way banks $3,400 with ‘Hog Wild' campaign

The United Way of Marion County's Parade of Pigs was such a success last year that the organization brought the popular piggies back again this year to help needy families with financial stability.

12.13.11 - Munroe suitors lining up

During a trustee meeting Monday, consultants Ponder & Co. told the trustees that a dozen healthcare systems responded that they were interested in learning more about Munroe, a partnership, or taking control of the hospital.

12.11.11 - Living a healthy life ... with a chronic disease

Those of us — most of us! — have or will have some type of chronic condition. In fact, by the time we reach middle age, the majority of us will suffer from two or more conditions. But natural aging and the conditions that may accompany getting older do not have to diminish our lives. Managing chronic illness is the key.

12.07.11 - MRMC seeks to stem high turnover rate for registered nurses

Dan O'Connor, Munroe vice president of human resources, told hospital officials during an executive committee meeting this week that Munroe's registered nurse turnover rate was 18.8 percent, up from about 15 percent in 2009 and higher than the national average, which ranges between 8.5 and 14 percent.

12.04.11 - Time is money

It is good to see that the editors of the Star-Banner have published an opinion in strong support for the continuation of our community hospital, Munroe Regional Medical Center, in its present form. The editorial, "Recognizing value in public hospitals" (Nov. 27), reminds us of the value that is easily recognizable — at least for those with an objective evaluation in mind.

12.01.11 - Editorial: More time for hospital reforms

Rick Scott has been governor less than a year, but he recognizes that the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature will be uniquely challenging due to timing, budget shortfalls and the contentious process of redrawing political boundaries.

11.29.11 - Letters to the Editor for Nov. 29, 2011

I am simply amazed at the inability of members of Congress to come up with a plan for debt reduction. The full House and Senate could not reach an agreement during the summer. Now, the Supercommittee has thrown in the towel without developing a plan for debt reduction.

11.27.11 - Editorial: Recognizing value in public hospitals

Both boards, the governor-appointed Commission on Review of Taxpayer-Funded Hospital Districts and the Munroe Regional Strategic Options Workgroup, agreed this week, in separate votes, that selling our public hospitals is not in the public's best interest. We couldn't agree more.

11.27.11 - Letters to the Editor for Nov. 27, 2011

Brad Dinkins' proposal to abolish all 16 Florida public hospital taxing districts and sell off their assets to the highest bidder is lacking in common sense and business acumen.

11.22.11 - Ocala man urges state to dissolve public hospital districts like Munroe

So Dinkins has gone all in, proposing that all public hospital districts, including the one that operates Munroe Regional Medical Center, be dissolved and their assets sold off to the highest bidder, be it a for-profit company or a nonprofit group.

11.22.11 - Munroe panel hopes to test the waters on potential suitors by year's end

December 20 was the target date to send letters to prospective companies with an eye for Munroe, hospital officials decided Monday during a meeting with their Chicago-based consultants Ponder & Co., in an effort to find money and turn the facility's finances around. The hospital also hopes to start interviewing a short list of potential suitors by early April.

11.16.11 - Munroe celebrates its new medical facility in The Villages area with an Open House

Munroe celebrated its new office in Lady Lake with an open house from 9 to 11am this morning, November 16, 2011 at Munroe Regional Medical Center in The Oaks at 138th. The new building, located at 8550 NE 138th Lane, Bldg 400 in Lady Lake, saw 575 local residents come out in support of Munroe and taking a sneak peak at the new facility scheduled to officially open on December 5, 2011.

11.16.11 - Interfaith gets a fundraising arm

Tonight, officials will unveil the newly organized Interfaith Foundation of Marion County, a fundraising arm created to provide long-term financial stability for Interfaith Emergency Services.

11.14.11 - Medicare gives hospitals an incentive to please patients

Medicare will begin next year to cut payments to hospitals and financially reward others based, in part, on how patients say they were treated.

11.12.11 - Outlawed bath salts still leave shattered lives behind

Smith was enraged, gripped by a fury fueled by his addiction to bath salts. Once available mostly at convenience stores, it was purported to give its users energy and a sense of well being. What the makers didn't advertise was the paranoia, hallucinations and addiction.

11.12.11 - ‘Big Freeze’ brings economic disaster

After the freeze of Dec. 27-28, 1894, Marion County began to experience warm, sunny weather. There was some light rain, flowers began to reappear and the sap was rising in the surviving citrus trees. Conditions were perfect to encourage trees to put out green sprouts.

11.10.11 - Munroe Regional Nurses Learn To Paint In Second Day of Discovery

SLIDESHOW: Munroe Regional Nurses Learn To Paint In Second Day of Discovery

11.08.11 - Hospital panel may require voter approval of taxes

Florida public hospital districts that raise taxes for health care may face extinction unless they are endorsed by voters.

11.07.11 - Letters to the Editor for Nov. 7, 2011

Johnson wrote of the sincere functions and benefits Munroe Regional Medical Center has given, for many years, to the populace of this entire region.

10.31.11 - Bring the Harvest Home wraps up

A line of Marion County residents formed at noon Friday inside the Interfaith Emergency Services complex, some hoping for a box of food for their family and others for a warm meal from Brother’s Keeper.

10.26.11 - Three local companies are fit-friendly

Munroe Regional Medical Center recognized as one of three businesses by the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Companies Program for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace.

10.23.11 - Munroe is 'our hospital' so we should support it

It's about time we started thinking about Munroe Regional Medical Center as the asset to Marion County that it is and always will be. If we don't, we'll have another for-profit-hospital in the area, and that's a real loss.

10.23.11 - Editorial: The fruits of coming together

With just two days left of the community food drive Bring the Harvest Home, Ocala/Marion County should be proud of itself... and grateful.

10.19.11 - Florida's Munroe Regional Medical Center Weighs Costs of Privatization

A consultant has identified 14 for-profit and non-profit companies that might be interested in a joint venture with Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla., according to a Star-Banner report.

10.19.11 - Munroe Regional Employees Donate 3,042 lbs of Food for the "Bring the Harvest Home" Food Drive

This morning, Munroe Regional Medical Center’s employees donated 3,042 lbs of food and a $300 check to Interfaith as part of the community wide “Bring the Harvest Home” food drive. Over the past week, Munroe Regional held an organization wide food drive to help replenish the depleted food pantries in Marion County.

10.19.11 - National Research Corporation Names Munroe Regional the 2011/2012 Consumer Choice Award Winner in Marion County

Munroe Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has received the 2011/2012 Consumer Choice Award for Marion County by the National Research Corporation (NRC). It is the ninth consecutive year that Munroe Regional has won the award. The medical center is one of 17 hospitals in the state of Florida to receive the 2011/2012 Consumer Choice Award and one of an elite few, nine hospitals, in the state to have won the award nine or more years in a row. The award was announced in the Monday, October 17, 2011 edition of Modern Healthcare.

10.18.11 - Consultant meets with Munroe

Any private company hired to help run Munroe Regional Medical Center can be expected to infuse the hospital with much-needed cash but will also want to control major business decisions, a consultant told Munroe officials Monday.

10.18.11 - Consultant lays out options for Munroe Regional

Any private company hired to help run Munroe Regional Medical Center can be expected to infuse the hospital with much-needed cash, but will also want to control major business decisions, a consultant told Munroe officials Monday.

10.16.11 - Community- vs. corporate-owned hospitals

A recent opinion letter, "The other hospitals," discussed Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital, the two facilities that make up the for-profit Ocala Health System. The letter writer attempted to compare the for-profit system with Munroe Regional Medical Center (MRMC), the community's nonprofit hospital, owned by the community and whose mission is solely focused on this community.

10.15.11 - Great debate on Munroe continues

As the debate rages among Munroe Regional Medical Center board members and trustees over the future of the hospital, there is a growing sense that one powerful group that is not even present for the discussions is determined to have the final say.

10.11.11 - 'Quiet Heroes' Work to Improve Healthcare in Florida as We Celebrate National Healthcare Quality Week

Many ideas have been proposed to improve the quality of patient care in America. While this challenge continues to be a source of debate, legislation and lawsuits, quiet heroes, known as healthcare quality professionals, are working hard each day to make a difference for the people of Florida.

10.05.11 - MRMC pays tribute to efforts of its volunteers

In 1983, with her five children grown and out of the house, and her husband entering retirement, Helen Ming decided to volunteer a few hours at Munroe Regional Medical Center. Now, Ming often puts in five days a week as chairwoman of the hospital's gift shop.

10.04.11 - Letters to the Editor for Oct. 4, 2011

The article about more school taxes really ticked me off. If the school system wants more money, go elsewhere. Do not put it on the backs of homeowners.

10.04.11 - Nearly $4 million in services provided in year by MRMC volunteers

In 1983, with her five children grown and out of the house and her husband entering retirement, Helen Ming decided to volunteer a few hours at Munroe Regional Medical Center. Now 72, Ming said those few hours grew over the years. Now, she often puts in five days a week as chairwoman of the hospital’s gift shop.

10.03.11 - Letters to the Editor for Oct. 3, 2011

As a professional person, I have wanted to write about my experience at Munroe Regional Medical Center.

10.02.11 - The Munroe vote and where we go from here

Applause should ring out from the legions of Marion Countians who appreciate action taken by the Marion County Hospital District Board of Trustees and directors of Munroe Regional Medical Center that assures maintaining the high-quality of health care and efficient operation of the hospital.

09.29.11 - Editorial: Keep our eyes on the prize

It would seem now that the question of Munroe Regional Medical Center's management lease is settled, the hospital's board of trustees could get down to business addressing the real issue at hand in earnest — that is, the community hospital's long-term fiscal viability.

09.27.11 - Munroe supporters leery of County Commission's motives

As a consultant begins studying ways to fix the erosion of Munroe Regional Medical Center’s finances, a growing number of Munroe supporters are voicing suspicions that the County Commission is trying to engineer a sale or lease of the hospital to a private company.

09.26.11 - Munroe to be allowed to renew 10-year lease

The administration of Munroe Regional Medical Center got an important vote of confidence Monday that may keep it at the helm of the hospital until at least 2023.

09.26.11 - We're surviving, but officials are ready to give up

If I had a nickel for every time I asked somebody how they are doing and was told, (sigh) "Well, I've got a job," the recession would be over in the Rogers household. But that, it seems, is where we are as a community. Just surviving.

09.25.11 - The real question facing Munroe and our community

For months, we have been reading about the financial woes at our hospital, Munroe Regional Medical Center, and the various solutions proposed by the County Commission, the hospital trustees and others in our community.

09.25.11 - Letters to the Editor, September 25, 2011

Editorial Page Editor Brad Rogers' opinions in the Ocala Star-Banner are liberal and for every tax possible. Hospital, schools, all government budgets.

09.22.11 - Letters to the Editor, September 22, 2011

Last Sunday, the Star-Banner published two essays about the future of Munroe Regional Medical Center. Mike Sizemore and Dr. Rangaswamy Asokan wrote with passion and precision about what is at stake for MRMC.

09.18.11 - Dilemma: Negotiating lease, maintaining Munroe's quality

One of the more important steps in the Marion County Hospital District Trustees exploration of alternative leasing options for Munroe Regional Medical Center is defining some basic requirements of a new lessee.

09.18.11 - No absolutes

Listen to those talking the loudest about the future of Munroe Regional Medical Center, and they would lead you to believe that that future comes down to one of two choices: a hospital tax to keep the hospital running much as it has, or some sort of “partnership” that would turn over management of the award-winning public health center to an outside, private organization.

09.12.11 - Benefactor leaves large sum to MCSO, other agencies

Not much is known about Bonnie Saupe, who left nearly $200,000 to the Marion County Sheriff's Office Foundation, as well as similar gifts to at least 16 other organizations, but foundation officials are deeply grateful for the endowment.

09.11.11 - Munroe debate about ideology, not quality health care

You may think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, conservative or liberal. You may be someone who has a tendency to react to bumper stickers, labels or stereotyping and grounded in a certain philosophy. But, I bet if your cow is getting gored, your position will change.

09.11.11 - A public hospital is not just another business

"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in." Robert Frost, "The Death of the Hired Man" Munroe Regional Medical Center, being a public hospital, is like a home.

09.09.11 - Hospital trustees won’t hold emergency meeting

County Commission Chairman Stan McClain’s request for the Marion County Hospital District trustees to hold an emergency meeting concerning its lease issue has been denied.

09.09.11 - The Munroe Foundation and Gateway Bank presents the “Art of Healing” Exhibit

The Munroe Foundation and Gateway Bank are pleased to present the “Art of Healing,” an art and poetry exhibit, featuring original and handcrafted work by the employees and volunteers of Munroe Regional Medical Center and showcases the medical center’s Wholistic Healing Institute.

09.08.11 - Commissioner: Munroe should break lease

County Commission Chairman Stan McClain wants the trustees who oversee Munroe Regional Medical Center to break the lease with the management company that runs the hospital before it automatically renews for another 10 years.

09.07.11 - Letters to the Editor for Sept. 7, 2011

The recent news about whether or not to extend Munroe Regional Medical Center’s lease has greatly disturbed me. The hospital has been rated as one of the best in the USA. It is the only non-profit hospital treating the poor in our area.

09.06.11 - Letters to the Editor for Sept. 6, 2011

It was good to see sound business judgment prevail last week in the decision by the Munroe Regional trustees to extend the lease agreement. It was, however, disappointing to see three appointed trustees dancing in circles trying to sell one of the community's finest assets.

09.04.11 - Munroe's Options

The five-year debate over what to do about Munroe Regional Medical Center's financial future has been spirited at best, acrimonious at worst. The main point of contention is whether it is best to prop up Munroe through a new hospital tax or seek a "partnership" with an outside entity that would either lease or buy the 113-year-old public hospital and assume those fiscal worries.

09.03.11 - Time to end the bickering over Munroe's fate

If you're confused by the debate over the future of Munroe Regional Medical Center, don't fret. You're not alone. It's a tremendously complex issue made more complex by the fact that Munroe's governing structure is about as simple as quantum physics.

09.02.11 - MRMC supervisor departs after 39½ years of service

After 39½ years, Shirley Cunningham still knows the exact date she started working at Munroe Regional Medical Center — Jan. 10, 1972.

08.03.11 - Munroe Regional’s Munroe Heart Program Recognized in Consumer Reports Magazine

Munroe Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce that Munroe Heart’s cardiothoracic surgeons are listed in the September issue of Consumer Reports magazine as being one of five surgical groups in Florida rated above average for Open Heart surgery results based on data provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Of the 324 groups reported there were only 81 surgical groups in the nation rated in the above average category.

07.28.11 - Advocacy Alert: Immediate Action Required

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has reached out to hospitals across the United States today and they are deeply concerned that legislation to increase the debt limit will become a vehicle to make further cuts to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

07.28.11 - HCA-Owned Practice Relinquishes Physician Privileges at Florida's Munroe Regional Medical Center

A Florida hospital is finding itself estranged from a local family care physician group after the practice announced its physicians would no longer treat or admit patients in the hospital, according to a Star-Banner report.

07.27.11 - Ocala Star Banner Letter to the Editor: Wednesday, July 27, 2011

This letter to the editor, titled Everyday Heroes, was published in the Ocala Star Banner on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.

07.26.11 - Munroe Regional’s Marketing/PR Team Win Six Awards at FHA’s 45th Annual FSHPRM Awards Dinner

On July 13th, Munroe Regional Medical Center’s Marketing & Public Relations Department received six awards at the Florida Hospital Association's 45th Annual Florida Society for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing (FSHPRM) Awards dinner for excellence in Healthcare Marketing.

07.25.11 - Ocala Star Banner Editorial: Munroe's Message

This editorial was published in the Ocala Star Banner on Sunday, July 24, 2011.

07.18.11 - Letter to the Editor: Wednesday, July 13, 2011

This letter to the editor was published in the Ocala Star Banner on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 highlighting the writer's husband's great care received at Munroe Regional.

05.11.11 - Fitch Affirms Munroe Regional Health System’s Revs at 'A-'

As part of its ongoing surveillance review process, Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A-' rating on the following bonds issued by Marion County Hospital District, on behalf of Munroe Regional Health System (MRHS). The Rating Outlook is revised to Stable from Negative.

05.03.11 - Jett Travolta Foundation donates $100,000 to Munroe Regional’s Children Emergency Department Project

“When our son Benjamin was born, we were impressed with the doctors, nurses and staff of Munroe Regional Medical Center. We so appreciated their professionalism, security and results. When we heard they were building a Children's Emergency Department for infants to 17 year olds, we thought that it was a needed and worthwhile addition to the community. It is the perfect project for the Jett Travolta Foundation to support,” said John Travolta & Kelly Preston.

04.13.11 - The Munroe Foundation Hosts 6th Annual Flavor of Munroe

On Friday, April 29, 2011, the Munroe Foundation will host its 6th Annual Flavors of Munroe fundraiser. The theme for this year’s Flavors of Munroe is “An American Adventure” and the event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. The event features the culinary talents of the region’s most talented chefs. Flavors of Munroe will also include a silent auction, a cash bar and arcade games.

04.04.11 - Munroe Foundation Receives $65,000 Susan G. Komen Grant for Mammogram Screenings

The Munroe Foundation is pleased to announce that it was notified on March 31, 2011 that they have received a $65,000 grant to provide mammogram screenings for Marion County women who can not afford them.

02.14.11 - Munroe Regional Medical Center Announces Plans to Build a Children’s Emergency Department

On Monday, January 31, Munroe Regional Medical Center’s Board of Directors and the Marion County Hospital District Trustees approved a $6.8 million construction project, which includes moving the medical center’s Palmer/Klein Children’s Express into the main campus creating a full service Children’s Emergency Department. The Children’s Emergency Department will be located adjacent to main Emergency Department (ED) on the first floor of the medical center.

02.04.11 - Munroe Heart's Interventional Cardiologists featured in MD News

Munroe Heart's Interventional Cardiologists featured in the January / February edition of MD News - North Central Florida.

01.27.11 - Munroe Regional Medical Center mentioned by John and Kelly Travolta in the January 24th edition of People magazine

Munroe Regional was mentioned by John and Kelly Travolta in the January 24th edition of People magazine when discussing the birth of their son Ben. Kelly was asked "Tell us about Benjamin's birth" and she replied "I had a C-section at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala and our doctor Dr. Marquette, all of our nurses and everyone attending were amazing." Munroe was pleased to show the Travoltas the level of quality care we provide to our patients and visitors.
 

Munroe Regional Medical Center

  • 1500 S.W. 1st Avenue
  • Ocala, FL 34471
  • 352.351.7200

© 2010 Munroe Regional Medical Center

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