Dec 05, 2024  
2023-2024 Employee Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Employee Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

1. History & Heritage


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The rich history of AdventHealth University extends more than a century.

The origins of this vibrant institution begin with the Florida Hospital School of Nursing, operated for many decades on the current site starting in 1913. Southern Missionary College (now Southern Adventist University) sent nursing students from Tennessee to Orlando for clinical experience. Over the years, the hospital added programs in Radiography (1962), Practical Nursing (1964), and Sonography (1988).

In 1992, those four programs were combined to form a new school, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences.

The College became a baccalaureate-granting institution in 1998 when it took over the Southern Adventist University Bachelor of Science Nursing Program.

In 2008, the College began its first graduate program, a master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia.

Looking to expand its valuable healthcare ministry, the university established a Denver campus in 2009, where degrees in nursing, radiography, and sonography are offered.

During 2012, the College changed its name to Adventist University of Health Sciences and continued to grow the degree programs offered by the former Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. The first terminal degree to be offered by the institution, a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy, took root in summer 2016.

In 2018, the university’s parent company (Adventist Health System) rebranded its name to AdventHealth. To align with AdventHealth, the university adopted AdventHealth University.

Building on its rich educational heritage, AdventHealth University continues to grow as an institution with a commitment and passion for healthcare as ministry developing professionals who live the healing values of Christ.