HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital honored veterans during a Veterans Day celebration Wednesday, unveiling a new Veterans Wall and receiving a Veterans Safe Place designation certificate from Fire Watch.
Hospital leadership, veteran colleagues, community veterans, team members and invited guests attended the event, which recognized the service and continued contributions of military veterans within the hospital family, according to a news release from the hospital. Veterans at the celebration shared personal thoughts on their military experiences and the values of service, commitment and compassion they carry into health care.
Aaron Hargraves of Fire Watch presented the hospital with its Veterans Safe Place designation certificate during the event.
The new Veterans Wall, located in the hospital’s cafeteria, is a permanent display honoring veterans who are part of the hospital family. It recognizes their military service and their continued contributions to patient care and the community.
“Our veterans have dedicated themselves to serving others, first through their military service and now through the important work they do in caring for our patients and community,” said KC Donahey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “This Veterans Wall is more than a display. It is a lasting reminder of their sacrifice, their courage and our deep appreciation for the service they have given to our country. We are incredibly proud to honor them as part of our hospital family.”
The local celebration coincided with HCA Healthcare’s recognition as a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times for the seventh consecutive year. According to the release, the annual, editorially independent ranking evaluates employers’ recruitment, employment practices, benefits and support programs for veterans and military-connected employees. HCA Healthcare was also recognized as a five-star employer by VETS Indexes.
Since 2012, HCA Healthcare has hired more than 75,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses, according to the release. The company employs more than 18,300 military-affiliated colleagues nationwide and has hired more than 14,000 military spouses since joining the “Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses” campaign as an inaugural employer partner in 2018.
In honor of Veterans Day, HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation are giving a combined $200,000 to organizations serving veterans, military families and caregivers. HCA Healthcare is contributing $50,000 each to Blue Star Families, CreatiVets and Wreaths Across America. The HCA Healthcare Foundation is contributing $50,000 to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which supports caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans.
HCA Healthcare also supports its military-connected colleagues through recruitment partnerships, career-transition opportunities and its Military Colleague Network. Eligible colleagues also receive military leave and supplemental pay, according to the release.
