- April Starinsky

Orange County has long worked to level the playing field for those who need access to health care services, said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
In this episode of the Inspiring Wholeness podcast, Demings discusses bridging the health gap in Central Florida with Dr. Alric Simmonds, chief health equity officer and vice president and chief medical officer of AdventHealth's Celebration campus.
Demings is the first African American to serve as the mayor of Orange County. He’s always been a trailblazer, making history as Orlando's first African American police chief, and Orange County’s first African American sheriff.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the collaborative work needed to give everyone access to health care.
Tune in to hear about:
- What Orange County is doing to bridge the health gap and the biggest progress so far
- How local governments and health care providers can collaborate more effectively to bridge the health gap in Central Florida
- Innovative approaches for providing access to health care services in underserved communities
“What we have to do is get to a point where we’ve giving equitable care — giving care by meeting patients where they are in their struggle,” Simmonds said.
Subscribe so you never miss a new episode.
Recent News
Kristi Baker, the new senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Children, speaks with Becker's Hospital Review about the future of pediatric care.
The spring 2025 Leapfrog grades have been released, and four AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region hospitals have achieved top honors for patient safety!
AdventHealth North Pinellas achieves elite national status as a straight- ‘A’ for patient safety
All AdventHealth hospitals in Pasco County continue to earn straight ‘A’ hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group.
Three UChicago Medicine AdventHealth hospitals have earned “A” safety grades from The Leapfrog Group, ranking among the safest hospitals in the nation.
AdventHealth Lake Wales Earns Elite National Status as an ‘A’ for Patient Safety
AdventHealth Ocala achieves elite national status as a straight ‘A’ for patient safety
“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.
AdventHealth Hendersonville has once again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog dedicated to patient safety. Leapfrog assigns grades...
AdventHealth DeLand, Fish Memorial and New Smyrna Beach earn top marks from national watchdog
AdventHealth is using a new simulation system to train and retain nurses in an effort to fight against Florida's nursing shortage.
AdventHealth Waterman Foundation honors Dr. Jonathan Schroeder and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute for their transformative philanthropy.