HCA Florida Healthcare Hospitals Prepare for Cold and Flu Season
As we head into fall and winter, the rise of cold and flu viruses become a big concern. Each year, approximately eight percent of Americans are sickened by influenza. HCA Florida Healthcare providers urge everyone to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their loved ones during this season. "The flu is more than just a cold; it can strike suddenly and lead to serious complications like pneumonia, dehydration and even death,” said Dr. John Krause, internal medicine physician at HCA Florida Twin
Community Comes Together for Students: Nine Schools, 90 Volunteers, and 540 Volunteer Hours
In a display of community spirit, 90 dedicated volunteers successfully prepared nine schools in the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The collective effort, totaling 540 volunteer hours, underscores a strong partnership between the district and local organizations, ensuring an enriched educational environment for students. Volunteers from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Florida Power and Light, and Hurlburt Field Air Force Base were
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Announces Patrick McVey as Chief Operating Officer
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has announced the appointment of Patrick C. McVey, MBA, BSN, RN, as chief operating officer. McVey, whose new role was effective June 24, comes to the hospital with a distinguished background in healthcare management. Most recently, he served as regional vice president for HCA Healthcare's North Florida and South Atlantic divisions, where he oversaw patient logistics including behavioral health, centralized patient placement, transfer center operations, and
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital was honored with the 2022 Excellence for Maternal Care Award
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has been presented the 2022 Excellence for Maternal Care Awards from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. This award, given to 31 hospitals across the state, recognizes those facilities demonstrating a commitment to maternal health care and supporting health outcomes for mothers and newborns. These awards recognize hospitals surpassing the Healthy People 2030 target goal of 23.6% for optimizing cesarean section
Destin Chamber Trustees Invite Local First Responders to Appreciation Cookout on Sept. 11, 2024
The Destin Chamber Trustee members are celebrating and thanking local first responders with a free cookout on Wednesday, Sept. 11. They will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs at Destin Fire Station #9 at 848 Airport Road, in Destin, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. All police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, beach safety, EMS and military are invited. Trustee membership is the highest membership level in the Destin Chamber, and it shows a significant commitment to and investment in the Chamber and in
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Celebrates 50 Years of Caring for the Community
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital commemorated a half-century of service to the community with a grand celebration marking its 50th anniversary. Since its founding in 1974, the hospital has stood as a pillar of healthcare excellence, evolving alongside the vibrant community it serves. Zach McCluskey, chief executive officer at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, welcomed hospital and community leaders, care team members and other guests to the milestone event. McCluskey expressed gratitude to
First High School Health Academy on HCA Healthcare Campus Now Open in Fort Walton Beach
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) announced the opening today of the Health Academy of Northwest Florida on the hospital’s campus. The Health Academy of Northwest Florida is the first high school health academy to be housed on an HCA Healthcare hospital campus anywhere in the country. A joint partnership between HCA Florida Fort-Walton Destin Hospital and OCSD, the Health Academy of Northwest Florida provides high school students interested in healthcare
HCA Florida Hospitals Announce Dr. Dan Hagler as Chief Medical Officer
Dan Hagler, M.D., has been appointed chief medical officer (CMO) of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, as of March 4. In this role, Dr. Hagler will lead the clinical and quality initiatives that support consistent clinical performance and practice standards across HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. Dr. Hagler brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience with a proven track record of improving quality and
NWFSC Radiography Program Receives $10,000 Check from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is thrilled to announce a significant boost to its Radiography Program, thanks to a generous donation of $10,000 from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. This contribution marks a transformative moment for the program, renowned for its commitment to cultivating highly skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. The donation from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is set to play a crucial role in the advancement of the NWFSC Radiography Program. It
First ''Thank a Teacher'' Recipient in Partnership with Okaloosa County School District
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and Okaloosa County School District celebrated the first “Thank A Teacher” recipient, Robert Roeckers, Okaloosa STEMM Academy. Roeckers joined Okaloosa STEMM Academy for his first year of teaching with an undeniable enthusiasm and a commitment to fostering a love for learning among his students. His innovative approach to education, combined with his dedication to student success, has quickly made him a standout educator with his students and amongst peers. “This
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and Okaloosa County School District Partner to Rollout Thank a Teacher Program
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) announced today the launch of a Thank a Teacher—a joint partnership between HCA Florida Fort-Walton Destin Hospital and OCSD. Thank a Teacher is a program celebrating the Okaloosa County School District's dedicated educators. Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, students, families, and staff members are encouraged to share their stories about a particular teacher's inspiring actions, supportive words, creative lessons,
Okaloosa Technical College Practical Nursing Program Announces 100% Pass Rate
Okaloosa Technical College's (OTC) Practical Nursing Program proudly announces that the 2022-2023 Class had a 100% pass rate for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), earning their licensed practical nurse certification (LPN). The fourteen-month-long program, approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing, prepares students to become quality, safe, practical nurses in all areas of the medical field. Nineteen students underwent the rigorous course of study split between 675 hours of classroom
Destin Chamber Trustees Invite Local First Responders to Appreciation Cookout
The Destin Chamber Trustee members are celebrating and thanking local first responders with a free cookout on Monday, Sept. 11. They will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and serving BBQ sliders and brisket at Destin Fire Station #9 at 848 Airport Road, in Destin, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. All police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, beach safety, EMS and military are invited. Trustee membership is the highest membership level in the Destin Chamber, and it shows a significant commitment to and
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital Collect More than 3,000 School Supplies
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital joined HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals across the state throughout July to participate in the organization’s first statewide We Show Up for Our Schools month of service. In partnership with the Okaloosa County School District and United Way Emerald Coast, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital collected more than 3,000 supplies for students and teachers in our community ahead of the new
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Nationally Recognized for Commitment to Providing High-Quality Stroke Care
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Awarded Spring 2023 ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic. This is the third consecutive “A”
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Encourages Organ Donation During National Donate Life Month
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital will join Donate Life Florida to celebrate National Donate Life Month with a special flag-raising ceremony in honor of the hundreds of thousands of donors and recipients whose lives have been touched by organ donation. This year’s guest speaker is Kim McMahon, of Pensacola, whose 16-year-old son, William, died while waiting for his second liver transplant. McMahon later became a tissue recipient herself – receiving donor bone during a spinal fusion surgery to repair
Healthgrades names HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital a 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award™
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital today announced that it has been recognized by Healthgrades as a 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipient. This is the second year in a row that HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has received this honor, which places the facility among the top 5% of all short-term acute care hospitals as evaluated by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting patients and providers. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has a robust Infection Prevention program,
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital Join HCA Florida Healthcare’s Second Statewide Service Week
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital Join HCA Florida Healthcare’s Second Statewide Service Week Hospital colleagues to volunteer at two local non-profit organizations in recognition of first anniversary of HCA Florida Healthcare WHAT: HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital are among many HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals across Florida participating in the organization’s second statewide We Show Up for Our Communities service
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Launches Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has launched its first adolescent intensive outpatient program (IOP) offering behavioral health services to teens between the ages of 12 and 17. The S.A.I.L. (Seeking an Incredible Life) adolescent IOP provides evidence-based treatment consisting of group therapy sessions as well as individual visits with a therapist and psychiatrist. Group sessions are led by a licensed therapist trained in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and
Destin Chamber Presents Special Recognitions & Installs 2023 Board During January Breakfast
During its Jan. 13 Business Before Hours and Annual Membership Meeting at LuLu’s Destin, the Destin Chamber honored some of its most outstanding volunteers and installed its 2023 Chairman and Board of Directors. Before passing the gavel to 2023 Chairman of the Board Jason Belcher of FNBT Bank, 2022 Chairman Jennifer Gutai Comella of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale presented the James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service and the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award. These awards are
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Opens Expanded Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital recently celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, which has moved into a newly-renovated building. Within walking distance of the former Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, the new facility is located at 1020 Titan Court Suite 101 – and more than doubled its space from 992 square feet to 2,300 square feet – including a gym with upgraded equipment, exam room, two patient treatment rooms and two changing rooms. Cardiac rehabilitation at
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Awards $15,000 Scholarship to Okaloosa Technical College
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Thursday awarded a $15,000 scholarship to Okaloosa Technical College to support efforts to strengthen and expand the state’s healthcare workforce. The funding is part of HCA Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to partnering with organizations to help develop a diverse pool of future healthcare leaders and is designed to ensure that every student has the same opportunity to graduate and attain a high-quality degree or industry certification. “The ability to provide
