Des Cummings, DMin

Des Cummings, PhD. MDiv. and honorary D.H. Ed, from AHU. He has been blessed to serve in all three dimensions of Jesus mission: Preaching, Teaching, and Healing.

Pastoral Ministry: Des ministry focused on youth and became the Youth Director of South Eastern California Conference. First Chaplain at Southern Adventist University. First Professor of Youth Ministry at Andrews University Theological Seminary. While at Andrews Des completed a PhD. In Educational Leadership and Management with emphasis in statistical forecasting. where Des Established the Institute of Church Ministry with three centers: Youth Resources, Church Growth, and Human Relations. Roger Dudley was recruited to be the Institute’s Associate Director. The institute published over 15 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Healing Ministry: In 1984 Des was invited to become a Sr VP for Florida Hospital with responsibilities for Mission, Marketing, Planning, PR, and New Business Development. In 1987 Des became the Adventist Health System President/CEO for the Texas Region. In 1990 He returned to Florida Hospital as Executive VP for Corporate Development which included Mission, Planning, PR, Marketing, New Business, Managed Care, and latter President of the Florida Hospital Foundation.

Mission: The team Proposed and launched the AHS Mission Conference, affiliated with AU Seminary to offer the first Hospital focused M.Div degree. Which has helped the system to provide mission critical staffing of the growing system. Implemented the Mission assessment and planning. Lead the Celebration Design team in developing a Bible based, 1st century expression of the Adventist health message.

Business Development: Established the Managed Care Department, the Physician Hospital Organization, The integrating of FH services into the RDV sportsplex, reforming the Florida Hospital Foundation, lead the Florida Hospital Celebration design team in collaboration with Disney to create the showcase hospital of the future based on the CREATION Health principles including a healthy community model. Developing the partnership with Disney giving priority to FH Celebration for health activities and the preferred referral status for guests. This project launched the AHS partnership initiative which engaged over 40 leading suppliers in making FH Celebration their companies demonstration site – resulting in a 40+ million dollars of investment. Developed the annual “Partner Conference”.

Philanthropy: Recruited a team of Development Professional and community board members that advanced the fundraising results for the Foundation. Launched a 3 year Centennial Campaign that raised $140 million over culminating in the opening of the FH Orlando’s new Ginsburg tower to celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the hospital.

Business Development: Des lead the planning team that worked with Disney Development to plan health into the town of Celebration. In recognition of this work, Dr. Cummings received the John C. Maxwell Leadership Award for Health and Wellness and AdventHealth established the Des Cummings Innovation award to recognize teams who have implemented groundbreaking projects in health and healing. Des was also awarded a Honorary Doctorate in Health Education (D.H.Ed), from AdventHealth University for his leadership in designing healthy communities.