OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Serving customers and patients is their priority.
More than just a health insurance company, Florida Blue is dedicated to delivering comprehensive health solutions to the community.
On Feb. 7, 2025, the Florida Blue/Sanitas Medical Center location at 11115 SW 93rd Ct.,
Suite 11, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in partnership with the Ocala Metro CEP.
The facility includes a community room designed to host regular health-focused events, further solidifying its commitment to the well-being of local residents, said Darnell Smith, Florida Blue North Florida market president.
Florida Blue plays a major role in Florida’s healthcare landscape, serving millions of people, said Ire Bethea Sr., City of Ocala president pro-tem.
“In Ocala and Marion County, every time I look around, you see doctors’ offices opening up,” said Bethea, Sr. “The reason this is happening is because we are a viable community. There are 269 people moving in here every week to this county. If you look around, there’s construction going around everywhere. We are so happy that Florida Blue is coming to this area because that means a lot of our citizens don’t have to go a long distance for service.”
The emphasis is on the member first, with their mission to help people and communities achieve better health, said Juan Chaluja, GuideWell senior vice president commercial markets.
“We’re here to serve the members of our community,” said Chaluja. “Today, we celebrate a milestone in our journey to reimagine healthcare in Florida. This grand opening marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the dedication and commitment of GuideWell and Sanitas. Your collaborative efforts and innovative ideas help harmonize and humanize the care experience for humans and patients.”
Nearly a decade ago, GuideWell formed a strategic alliance with Organización Sanitas Internacional, now Keralty, to bring Sanitas to Florida, Chaluja said. Through this alliance, Sanitas Medical Centers have provided affordable, high-quality, whole-person healthcare, recognizing the cultural and social needs of the community.
“We’ve opened 10 new locations in the past few weeks, extending our reach across the state,” said Chaluja. “Sanitas cares for the health and well-being of half a million Florida Blue members through its 70 locations in Florida. They actually have more locations outside of Florida. It’s a really well-run organization in the United States.”
As a leader in health solutions, Florida Blue understands its communities because its employees live and work in the areas they serve, Chaluja added. However, healthcare is also about partnerships—bringing together insurance providers, doctors, and healthcare teams to support patients holistically.
Jim Boyman, GuideWell Health vice president, expressed gratitude to the Florida Blue and Sanitas teams for their dedication to ensuring access to essential care.
“GuideWell Health is sort of the connective tissue between the Florida Blue side of the house and the Sanitas side of the house,” said Boyman. “We’re really focused on making healthcare simpler and more connected. We know this is something that can be fragmented, but by integrating insurance and care delivery, we’re creating a seamless patient experience—one that’s easier, more accessible, and more effective for patients.”