White-Wilson Medical Center files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to continue operations

In Brief:

💼 White-Wilson files for Chapter 11 to reduce debt
🏥 Clinics to remain open and fully operational
👩‍⚕️ Leadership says patients will keep their doctors

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FORT WALTON BEACH — White-Wilson Medical Center, P.A., one of Northwest Florida’s largest and oldest multi-specialty physician groups, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a corporate restructuring plan aimed at reducing debt and stabilizing finances.

The filing was made in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida and assigned to Chief Judge Karen K. Specie under case number 25-40486, according to a press release issued by the medical group.

White-Wilson, which employs more than 300 people and operates clinics in Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Destin, Niceville, and Navarre, stated that it will continue to operate its medical practices and patient services without interruption during the process.

“This restructuring will enable [White-Wilson Medical Center], which has been providing patient care services for almost eight decades, to continue on its mission to care for the communities of Northwest Florida,” Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kenneth Persaud wrote in a letter to patients dated Oct. 3, 2025.

Persaud emphasized that the medical center “is not going away,” adding that patients will maintain access to their current providers and care teams.

The organization filed customary motions with the court seeking approval to pay employee wages, honor benefits, and continue patient care programs as usual. It also filed an emergency motion to use cash collateral to support operations throughout the restructuring, according to the release.

“White-Wilson has been proud to serve this community for nearly eight decades,” Persaud said in the press release. “We are taking this step to address financial obligations, reduce debt and strengthen our foundation so we can continue providing high-quality care for generations to come.”

Dr. John C. Dali, president of White-Wilson Association, P.A., said in the release that the reorganization is “in the best interests of our patients, physicians, other clinicians, employees, and partners, as well as our community members,” and will ultimately lead to “a more promising future.”

The group stated that the Chapter 11 process will enable it to restructure its debt, preserve jobs, and maintain ongoing patient services, while positioning the organization for long-term success.

Persaud wrote that the restructuring “only applies to a legal process” and aims to preserve White-Wilson “as an effective regional healthcare system” while reorganizing resources to provide “financial stability, growth and enhanced patient experiences.”

White-Wilson is being represented in the bankruptcy proceedings by Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP, with partners Alberto “Al” F. Gomez Jr. and Michael Markham serving as lead counsel, and Michael Magidson leading healthcare law representation.