Orlando Health to Sponsor “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code” from the Smithsonian
Orlando Health, a historic Central Florida institution, is partnering with the Orange County Regional History Center to present two major exhibitions.
Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code, an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Institutes of Health, examines the complexities of the genome—the genetic or hereditary material of a living organism—with cutting-edge displays, animation, and real-life stories that reveal how our histories begin long before we are born and the links between generations. The exhibit also examines the benefits and challenges the study of genetics presents to our society. It will be on display at the History Center from Oct. 3, 2018, to Jan. 5, 2019, through the local sponsorship of Orlando Health.
The second exhibition explores the history of the iconic Central Florida health system itself. Orlando Health—100 Years of Caring opens Nov. 3, 2018, and will continue at the History Center through March 3, 2019. Orlando Health’s flagship institution, Orlando Regional Medical Center, opened on Nov. 5, 1918, as Orange General Hospital; it became Orange Memorial Hospital in 1946 and received its current name in 1977.
“Though our organization’s name has changed in the course of a century, our commitment to improving the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve has been unchanging,” said Mark A. Jones, president, Orlando Regional Medical Center and senior vice president, Orlando Health. “We look forward to working with the History Center in telling our century-long story of growth and innovation and also in bringing this important Smithsonian exhibit, Genome, to Central Florida.”
The History Center’s chief curator, Pamela Schwartz, said her staff has been captivated by Orlando Health’s rich history. “As a new collecting endeavor for our institution, we are discovering an incredible wealth of fascinating stories and artifacts about the role Orlando Health has fulfilled for our community and look forward to sharing them with our visitors.”
“Orlando Health has been an essential part of our community’s life for generations,” added Michael Perkins, the museum’s manager. “We’re honored to be their partners.”
