HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital and HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital are launching a new program to recognize the crucial role first responders play in patient care throughout Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties.
- The ‘First Responders of the Quarter’ program will honor outstanding individuals from the tri-county area each quarter, with one recipient selected by each hospital.
“We have this saying at the hospital, ‘care like family’,” said Todd Jackson, CEO of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. “When we look at healthcare, you’ve got doctors, colleagues, volunteers that work in the four walls of the hospital, but our family is a lot bigger than that. It’s the people out in the field, it’s also the first responders.”
The program will recognize personnel from various emergency response sectors, including EMS, fire departments, law enforcement, and beach lifeguards.
- “It’s not just EMS, although they’re certainly a huge part of that,” Jackson said. “It could be the lifeguards and the work that they’re doing out on our beaches. It could be the fire department, local law enforcement, county sheriff’s deputies — they are all a part of this because oftentimes those are the first people on the scene.”
The first nomination deadline is June 20, with winners to be announced in early July. Community members, colleagues, family members, and citizens who have needed emergency services can submit nominations through a form on the hospitals’ websites.
Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson in Fort Walton Beach is contributing to the recognition initiative. The locally-owned motorcycle dealership will provide additional items for the award recipients.
“It’s about community and coming together in this case through local businesses to recognize those on the front lines that deserve to be recognized,” Jackson said about Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson’s involvement.
Winners will receive a plaque presented by hospital representatives, including EMS coordinators and staff from trauma and emergency department leadership teams. The ceremonies will take place at the winners’ workplaces.
According to HCA Healthcare, the program bridges an important gap in recognizing first responders and also acknowledges the unique challenges first responders face. Jackson hopes the program will gain significant community support.
- “My hope is that this garners a lot of attention and support not just within the healthcare community across our area, but within the community as a whole,” he said. “It’s connecting the person, that first responder, that the work that they do out in the field, getting that message out in the community I think is important.”
To nominate a first responder for this recognition, click here.
