PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST IN THE FIRST CITY
By Robert Waldner
Photo by Kate Gardiner
FIRSTCITYDOCS DOT COM • 904-819-4082
It is widely known in St. Augustine and the surrounding areas, that Flagler Hospital is on the cutting edge of America’s healthcare system. Being ranked as one of the country’s 100 Best Hospitals in multiple categories in recent years, it is clear that the administration and staff are all about putting patients first. However, there is another group working independently within the hospital to help provide a more efficient and satisfying experience for all patients. First City Hospitalists Group (FCHG) pioneered a relatively new healthcare initiative in the Ancient City, beginning in 2008.
“Hospitalists do everything a primary care physician does, but we work solely within the hospital,” says Tomislav Zeljko, M.D. “Essentially, we allow primary care physicians to focus on their office patients with the peace of mind that their patients in the hospital are receiving the highest quality of care.” Zeljko, a physician with First City Hospitalists Group for the past three years, was born and raised in Croatia, where he received his medical degree from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine. After completing his residency in Pennsylvania, Zeljko moved to central Florida to continue his medical career. Attracted by the charm of the Old City, Zeljko moved here with his family in 2015 and added his valuable knowledge and experience to the caring and passionate team at First Coast Hospitalists Group.
As a dynamic team of physicians and nurse practitioners, FCHG provides services such as ordering tests, analyzing and interpreting results, and following up with patient care during hospitalization. With the authority to discharge patients at any time, FCHG streamlines the patient transition process by eliminating the need for primary care physician authorization. “Providing compassionate care to so many people has given me a unique opportunity to get to know this community,” says Zeljko. “We are here to make sure that Flagler Hospital patients have the most productive experience possible so that they can get healthier faster and get back to living their lives.”
For more information, visit the First City Hospitalists Group website or call 904-819-4082.