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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- The year-long transformation of the SS United States into the world’s largest artificial reef reveals exciting challenges and historic preservation efforts. Meanwhile, Walton County celebrates its second year as Florida’s top-ranked education system according to a new report, HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s new residency program makes strides, and Pryor Middle School responds to a disruptive incident. Plus, we offer ideas for weekend activities along the Emerald Coast.
BUSINESS
Seven months in, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s new residency program making impact
Seven months after launching its inaugural residency program in internal medicine, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is already seeing positive impacts on both patient care and hospital culture.
- The University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare GME Consortium program, which received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education in March 2024, is part of the nation’s largest graduate medical education community.
On National Thank a Resident Day, celebrated annually on the last Friday of February, program leaders and resident physicians reflected on the program’s progress and its effect on healthcare access in the community.
“One of the proudest things I have as a resident director is seeing the almost immediate impact that these residents have had on our community in the continuity clinic,” said Dr. Amanda Finley, program director. “They have been able to provide open access to primary care, which previously had long waiting periods for appointments. These residents are seeing new patients every week.”
The White Wilson Internal Medicine Clinic, across the street from the hospital and operated by the residency program, is currently seeing up to 16 patients daily, with anticipated availability to serve up to 60 patients daily by 2026.
- The three-year internal medicine residency program, which welcomed its first 12 residents with a white coat ceremony in July 2024, expanded medical care in the local area. The program collaborates with over 50 local physicians and has faculty collaboration with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
Dr. Jessica Rambharose, one of the resident physicians, emphasized how the program is filling healthcare gaps in the community.
“In addition to locals, we get a lot of ‘snowbirds,’ but it just shows me also the difference in access to healthcare in smaller cities and rural areas compared to a big city like Boston, Massachusetts,” said Dr. Rambharose, who relocated from Boston for residency. “Now that I know that there’s this gap, I just feel more inclined to try to fill it.”
Read the full story where we discuss:
- Enhanced patient care and hospital culture
- Hands-on experience beyond expectations
- Research opportunities with wide impact potential
- Community involvement and physician wellness
- Looking to the future
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SCHOOL
Report: Walton County ranks No. 1 in Florida education for second consecutive year
by Ashley Armacost
For the second year in a row, Walton County has earned the top spot in education across Florida, according to the Florida Policy Institute’s 2025 Child Well-Being Index.
- The non-partisan research organization evaluates all 67 Florida counties using four specific criteria: the percentage of 3 and 4-year-olds not enrolled in school, fourth-grade English Language Arts scores, eighth-grade math scores, and high school graduation rates.
The Florida Policy Institute (FPI) specifically examines the percentage of students not performing at grade level on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) tests, combining students scoring in levels 1 and 2 for their calculations.
Eighth-grade mathematics is calculated using the third Progress Monitoring interval, while graduation data measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first full year in ninth grade.
“Accolades are always wonderful, but it is important to look further to see the students, teachers, staff, and administrators who work tirelessly to create the conditions that lead to these wonderful accolades,” said Superintendent A. Russell Hughes. “We are fortunate to have the best students in the country here in Walton County, and a school board to match.”
The district has made remarkable progress since 2017, climbing from 35th to 3rd in the state for academic testing, according to the District. During this period, the graduation rate has improved by more than 20 percentage points.
- FPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing accurate data that informs policy changes to improve the lives of all Floridians. The Child Well-Being Index ranks counties from 1 (best) to 67 (worst) across four categories: education, economic well-being, health, and family and community factors.
In its methodology, the Florida Policy Institute converts all data to ratios by county, allowing for fair comparisons regardless of population size. Lower numbers are considered better in their scoring system, with counties ranked based on their overall performance across 16 indicators of child well-being.
THE WEEKENDER
10 things to do this weekend on the Emerald Coast
The Emerald Coast is buzzing with activity this weekend as multiple Mardi Gras celebrations, live music performances, and special events take center stage across the region.
The festivities kick off Friday night with Six Piece Suits performing at Jake and Henry’s in downtown Fort Walton Beach, before Saturday ushers in a competitive bartending showdown at Boathouse Oyster Bar’s BAR WARS event.
Mardi Gras enthusiasts can catch parades and celebrations at several venues throughout the weekend, including Harborwalk Village on Saturday and both Baytowne Wharf and AJ’s Grayton Beach on Sunday. Each location promises beads, festive floats, and authentic Louisiana cuisine.
- Those seeking culinary experiences can choose between premium Argentine wine tasting at the American Legion of Destin, fresh beignets at a Santa Rosa Beach grand opening, or crawfish boils at North Beach Social’s two-day anniversary celebration.
The weekend rounds out with several Sunday entertainment options, from $3 mimosas while enjoying Saltwater Revival at Skybar to an upscale fundraiser benefiting Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s music education programs.
For the complete list of events and details, click here.
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Origin Bank opens new location in Fort Walton Beach
Origin Bank has expanded its presence with a new financial center in Fort Walton Beach.
- Operating from a temporary building at 212 Racetrack Road NW (the intersection of Denton Boulevard NW), the center offers comprehensive banking services including small business and personal banking, home loans, and financial support.
The location currently operates Monday through Friday, with the drive-thru open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and appointments available by calling (850) 904-8613. For more information, click here.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Deputies: Student claims to have gun, sets off firecracker at Pryor Middle School
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported Thursday that a student at Pryor Middle School falsely claimed to have a gun and threw a firecracker in the hallway as what the student described as a “joke.”
- No students or staff were injured in the incident, which prompted immediate action from school administrators.
According to information from the Sheriff’s Office, the school principal issued a statement to parents, emphasizing that staff “acted swiftly and effectively, immediately confirming there was no weapon and no credible threat.”
“However, the actions of this student were deeply concerning and caused significant disruption to our school environment,” the principal stated. “Regardless of intent, such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
- School administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are working together to address the situation and “take swift and appropriate action” against the student responsible.
In the statement shared by the Sheriff’s Office, the principal urged parents to speak with their children about responsible behavior and the serious consequences that come with making threats, even those intended as jokes.
“Please remind your student to report any suspicious activity to our School Resource Officer or a school administrator,” the principal said.
The Sheriff’s Office indicated that additional information about the incident will be released at a later time.
COASTAL RESOURCES
Inside the year-long transformation of SS United States into world’s largest artificial reef
After nearly 30 years docked in Philadelphia, the SS United States is now on its way to becoming the world’s largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. We sat down with Okaloosa Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg for an inside look at what happens next.
Here’s what we discussed:
- The $10.1 million project breakdown ($1M for purchase, $1M for museum, $7.1M for preparation).
- Year-long remediation process in Mobile to remove hazardous materials.
- Expected economic impact exceeding $3 million annually.
- Deployment plans 20 nautical miles offshore in 180 feet of water.
- How the ship’s 50-foot upper deck depth will make it accessible to divers of all levels.
- Benefits to both the fishing and diving industries.
- Plans for preserving historic artifacts like funnels and propeller for a land-based museum.
- How tourism tax dollars fund the project.
- The thousands of jobs created through the project and related tourism.
Over the next year, crews will prepare the historic 990-foot vessel for its underwater future while dive shops are already receiving hundreds of calls about the future attraction.
Read our comprehensive story for full details on how this historic ocean liner will transform both our marine ecosystem and tourism industry: [LINK]
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
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