ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — Health First has announced a series of organizational adjustments resulting in the elimination of 214 associate positions, representing roughly 2 percent of the healthcare system’s 10,350-person workforce.

Health First officials emphasized that the decision followed a thorough operational review aimed at aligning resources to support its broader core mission.

“This was not an easy decision and comes after a careful review of how we can best continue delivering on our mission to improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” said Lance M. Skelly, System Director of Public and Media Relations for Health First.

No hospitals or emergency departments will close as a result of the operational changes. The majority of the eliminated roles are concentrated in administrative, management, and clerical support areas, while recruitment remains active for open clinical and essential positions.

However, several specific programmatic shifts will impact select clinical roles and patient workflows:

• Hospital at Home: The program is winding down. Current enrollees will continue to receive care through the program until their treatment plans are fully completed.
• Integrated Care Program: The Viera site is closing, with patient care transitioning to the Gateway team.
• Comprehensive Health Assessments: Health First Medical Group is ending its standalone assessment program. Patient evaluations will instead be integrated into annual wellness visits with primary care physicians.

Health First is directly contacting all patients affected by these program updates to outline next steps.

Impacted staff members will receive 60 days of paid notice with full benefits, along with career transition support and assistance in exploring open internal roles.

“Our mission at Health First does not change,” Skelly said. “We will continue to provide safe, high-quality care for our patients and invest in the services and facilities this community needs.”