History

Foundation roots reach back to the early 1950s, when a group of concerned Winter Park residents banded together to build a community hospital. The Winter Park Memorial Hospital Association was created, and its vision became reality in 1955 with the opening of Winter Park Memorial Hospital.

For nearly 40 years, our organization operated the hospital, broadening its trusted role of tending to the community's expanding health care needs. In 1994, the Association forged a partnership with Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation to manage and co-own the hospital. Winter Park Memorial continued to thrive and the Association looked outward to address the health and wellness needs of area residents through community outreach services and facilities, including the Elinor & T. William Miller, Jr. Center for Older Adult Services, the Peggy & Philip B. Crosby Wellness Center and the Center for Health & Wellness. The Association began doing business as the Winter Park Health Foundation.

In 2000, the Winter Park Health Foundation sold its remaining interest in Winter Park Memorial Hospital and became a private foundation. Today, operating as the Winter Park Health Foundation, we strive to build a healthier community through a creative mix of projects, partnerships and facilities. Our primary focus areas are children and youth, older adults and access to health care, as well as ongoing support of Winter Park Memorial Hospital.

The Foundation, long a trusted leader on health care issues, continues to be a catalyst for information gathering, research and collaboration.