Ben Albritton returns to Tallahassee after medical scare, will ‘finish the Session strong’

Senate President Ben Albritton is on the road to recovery after a medical episode that saw him undergo observation at two hospitals.

In a note to Senators Wednesday morning, the 57-year-old Wauchula Republican said he has returned to Tallahassee after being discharged from Shands Hospital in Gainesville late Tuesday afternoon, and will “recuperate and rest” in the short term.

After he spent Sunday night at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, he was transferred to UF Health Shands in Gainesville on Monday for what a release from his office called a “potential abnormality in the upper left portion of the President’s heart that requires additional testing and review” that was diagnosed at TMH.

On the road to recovery, Albritton is grateful to God and man alike.

“Above all, I want to give glory to God, for protecting me and guiding us through this difficult time,” he wrote. “By the grace of God and through His divine healing, I am getting better. Additionally, through the knowledge and wisdom He has given to so many medical professionals, I am fully informed and can make important decisions about my health moving forward. Praise God!”

He also is “beyond thankful and eternally grateful to the medical staffs at TMH and Shands who cared for (him) over the last few days.”

“They provided the absolute best care and treated me with the utmost professionalism, compassion, and patience,” he noted.

Albritton also extended credit to both medical teams for life-saving, timely medical care and intervention.

“I am specifically thankful for Tallahassee Memorial who cared for me by finding the blood clot and stabilizing me with early intervention during this challenge,” he wrote. “Under the care of the multidisciplinary team at Shands, I underwent extensive testing and further analysis of the blood clot in my lung (pulmonary embolism), damage to the surrounding area of my lung (lung infarction), and the potential abnormality in the upper left region of my heart.”

Cardiologists at Shands found the most positive possible result, he reveals.

“The great news is that upon further review and with additional imaging, Cardiologists at Shands determined that either there was no abnormality in my heart, or God chose to heal it. My heart is in great shape, which was quite a relief to hear. I know what I believe happened. God is faithful!”

Albritton also said he will continue treatment given his issues with clotting.

“Due to the recurring nature of the blood clots I have experienced (three over the last six years), I will remain under the care of a Hematologist and begin a medication regime to help prevent future issues related to clotting. I have a number of follow-up appointments and additional screenings to complete over the next few months as I recover from the blood clot in my lung and adjust to the new medication. The future is bright.”

Support poured in for the President the last few days. Albritton made a point in his Wednesday note to Senators to thank all of those who kept him in their thoughts.

He “personally received over 500 text messages of well wishes and prayers from all over the state, not including emails and calls.” And hundreds of other messages poured in to his wife, his district office, and his office in the Capitol.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this level of support, encouragement and love. It is truly overwhelming. Missy and I feel blessed to have so many people reach out to us, regardless of political party or geography. THAT is the best that Florida has to offer and shows the power of love in this great state. We felt your support and your prayers, and we are beyond grateful. Missy and I could not be more blessed in every single way,” he said.

He added that he expects to return “very soon,” after some “much needed rest,” and “finish the Session strong.”

In the short term, plans have already been made for Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur to preside over Thursday’s floor session.

But what’s clear is Albritton intends to be back for the home stretch, as lawmakers finalize the budget and priority bills ahead of March’s Sine Die.

Albritton was elected in 2018 in Senate District 26, but the district was redrawn and renumbered in 2022. Thanks to a draw in that process, he ended up in odd-numbered Senate District 27 in the 2022 campaign cycle. That meant he had to run again in 2024, but won election to a four-year term, giving him the opportunity to serve a full decade in the Senate.

He still can serve two more years after his presidency ends this year.