HMA joins statewide medical group

NAPLES — Health Management Associates Inc. has joined the Florida Hospital Association. The Naples-based firm's Florida network covers 23 general acute-care hospitals and a clinical affiliation with UF Health Shands Hospital.

The Florida Hospital Association advocates and provides educational services on behalf of its hospital and health system members. It currently covers 237 hospitals and health systems across the state.

“Our 23 hospitals and 15,000 associates from the western panhandle to Key West are an important voice in Florida, and we are pleased to combine our resources with other excellent health systems as we seek to bring awareness to the issues affecting Florida's health care system and economy,” Alan Levine, senior vice president and Florida group president of Health Management Associates, says in a press release.

In addition to its existing Florida hospitals, HMA has entered into letters of intent to buy Ocala's Munroe Regional Medical Center in partnership with UF Health Shands Hospital and Bert Fish Medical Center, both of which are currently FHA members.