Connecting Columbia Union Seventh-day Adventists

Adventist HealthCare

Adventist HealthCare traces its roots to the turn of the 20th century when Ellen White, co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, contributed proceeds from the sale of her book The Ministry of Healing to help build the Washington Sanitarium. Its first entity, Washington Sanitarium opened in February 1904 and was temporarily headquartered in Washington, D.C., until a permanent facility in Takoma Park, Md., was opened in June 1907.

In its early years, the Sanitarium improved the physical, mental, and spiritual health of its visitors through rest, exercise, and a wholesome diet. After World War I it began providing surgical, obstetric, and emergency care. In 1971, the hospital performed its first open heart surgery. Two years later, it was renamed Washington Adventist Hospital.

Months later, a second facility, Hackettstown Community Hospital (now called Hackettstown Regional Medical Center) opened in northwestern New Jersey. In 1979, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital opened its doors in Rockville, Md.

Today, Adventist HealthCare, one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland, employs more than 7,000 people and cares for more than 250,000 patients annually. This nonprofit network includes three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, one psychiatric hospital, numerous nursing centers, and several home health agencies.

Senator Will Smith (D-20) presented a proclamation to White Oak Medical Center for receiving the highest national safety grade. (From left to right) John Sackett, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Adventist HealthCare; Kevin Cargill, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, White Oak Medical Center; Mabel Ankrah, Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, White Oak Medical Center; Senator Will Smith (D-20, Maryland); Felicia Benjamin, Director of Quality Services, White Oak Medical Center; Robert Jepson, Chief O

Maryland state senator William C. Smith, Jr. (D-20) visited Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center today to acknowledge the hospital’s efforts in earning an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group during the Fall 2023 rating cycle. This marks the second consecutive time White Oak Medical Center has received an “A” safety grade.

Montgomery College and Adventist HealthCare are partnering to grow a local workforce of qualified nurses through enhanced educational pathways that allow students to gain practical experience and connect with expert healthcare providers.

Adventist HealthCare and the Montgomery College Foundation are partnering to provide enhanced opportunities for nursing students in the community over the next eight years.

Dwayne Leslie Adventist HealthCare

Adventist HealthCare (AHC) has named Dwayne Leslie as their new Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Leslie currently serves as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Chief Compliance/Integrity Officer, and replaces Ken DeStefano, who is retiring after serving as General Counsel for 25 years.