HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital marked its 50th anniversary Friday with a celebration that highlighted its growth and commitment to healthcare in the community.

• The hospital, which has operated under various names since its founding in 1974, hosted a party attended by local leaders, former CEOs, and medical staff. Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson presented a proclamation recognizing the hospital’s half-century of service.

“We stand together to commemorate a milestone that reflects five decades of an unwavering commitment to the care and improvement of human life,” said CEO Zach McCluskey during the ceremony. “That is why we show up every single day to care for people in our community and improve their lives.”

McCluskey praised the hospital’s staff, calling them “the lifeblood of our organization.” He also acknowledged the presence of former CEOs Wayne Campbell and Mitch Mongell, noting their significant leadership roles in the hospital’s history.

The hospital has expanded significantly since its inception as General Hospital, growing from 172 employees and 40 physicians to over 1,200 employees and approximately 400 doctors. It now boasts 330 beds, 20 major service lines, and has expanded its footprint to include emergency services in Destin and Navarre, as well as a rehabilitation hospital in Destin.

McCluskey emphasized the hospital’s role in the community, noting that it serves about 60,000 people annually in its emergency department. He also highlighted the facility’s trauma services, cardiovascular care, labor and delivery, behavioral health programs, and rehabilitation services.

• “Behind every statistic that we share with our team, behind every business metric that we look at, we always try to go back and center ourselves around these individual people,” McCluskey said. “These are our neighbors. These are our family members. These are strangers that are visiting our community. These are people that need us.”

The hospital’s growth mirrors the community’s development over the past five decades. When it opened in 1974, a new house cost about $32,000, gas was 40 cents per gallon, and the average income was $12,900, McCluskey noted. He contrasted this with the hospital’s current average employee salary of about $70,000 per year.

During the event, McCluskey presented a $20,000 check to Northwest Florida State College, part of a $50,000 commitment over five years to support the college’s radiography and nursing programs. Dr. Cristie Kedroski, interim president of the college, accepted the donation.

• “This pledge symbolizes our dedication to nurturing future generations of healthcare professionals who will carry forward our mission of the care and improvement of human lives,” McCluskey said.

Kedroski, marking her fifth day on the job, outlined plans to expand the college’s nursing program. This includes a $22 million renovation of nursing facilities on the Niceville campus, set to open in fall 2025. The expansion will increase nursing admissions by 88%, from 96 to 180 students.

“We are incorporating state-of-the-art technology and equipment to provide an innovative learning environment,” Kedroski said. “As part of the project, we are developing virtual and augmented reality solutions to provide simulated field scenarios that will supplement students’ education to ensure a high-quality workforce.”

Mayor Rynearson, in his proclamation, highlighted the hospital’s contributions to the community. “HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has been a vital community partner and a key contributor to the health industry and has become nationally recognized as an industry leader for adopting innovative medical technology and pioneering specialties in advanced surgical procedures,” he said.

• The mayor also noted the hospital’s 17 accreditations, certifications, and awards, as well as its status as the only full-service acute care hospital in Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties.

McCluskey emphasized the hospital’s commitment to education and partnerships, mentioning collaborations with Okaloosa Technical College, University of West Florida, the Health Academy of Northwest Florida, University of Alabama, VCOM Medical College, and University of Central Florida. He noted that the hospital recently started its first class of internal medicine residents in partnership with the University of Central Florida.

As the hospital looks to the future, McCluskey reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement and community service. “We’re going to continue to evolve our organization so that we’re better tomorrow than we were today,” he said. “We’re going to keep that promise of every single day, we’re going to keep pushing forward.”

The celebration served not only as a reflection on past achievements but also as a look toward the future. With its expanded facilities, growing partnerships, and commitment to education, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is poised to continue its mission of improving healthcare in the community for years to come.

• “We look forward to another 50 years of service excellence and compassion,” McCluskey concluded, “and we’re really excited for what lies ahead.”