Tarpon Springs commissioners voted earlier this week to allow the hospital to make hiring decisions based on religion — a move needed to clear the way for the secular hospital to merge with the health system, which is associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The city leases the facility to University Community Hospital Inc., which operates the hospital. Previously, the lease agreement prohibited hiring discrimination based on religion, but the recent vote will allow religion to be considered in the selection of medical staff and the board as well as allow religious symbols in the facility, according to the report.
The two groups announced they would explore a merger in March.
Read the St. Petersburg Times report on Helen Ellis Hospital.
Read more coverage on Helen Ellis Memorial:
– Tampa Health System Exploring Affiliation With Adventist Health
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