Menu
Blog Archives
In response to the growing healthcare needs of Northwest Florida, HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Florida Healthcare, announced today the completion of its $18 million expansion to add a new 24-bed inpatient medical/surgical unit. This unit will add roughly 20,000 square feet to the existing patient tower.
With the addition of this new, private medical/surgical unit, HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital has increased its bed capacity to a total of 262 inpatient beds. This expansion will also create nearly 30 new jobs.
“HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital is committed to strategic growth and providing innovative solutions that benefit the needs of the communities we serve,” said Brad Griffin, CEO of HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital. “With this recent expansion, we will have increased capacity to serve the residents and visitors of Bay County for generations to come.”
This most recent expansion was part of a larger, 60-inpatient bed project that totaled nearly $62 million to expand critical care capacity, allow for additional inpatient rooms, and increase inpatient rehabilitation beds for the community.
Since 2018, HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital has made the following investments totaling more than $148 million. These projects include:
Renovated and expanded emergency department adding 13 new beds
Added 22 postpartum beds and renovations to Pediatric Floor, Antepartum Department and our central nursing floor
Expanding its Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Center by roughly 6,000 square feet to better meet the growing demand for outpatient services
Relocated its Center for Wound Care in a newly renovated 4,000 square foot space
Opened the Panama City ER on Hwy 231
Initiated Operating Room and Cath Lab expansion project
Announced plans to construct a new freestanding emergency room in Panama City Beach; expected to open in late 2022
HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital employs more than 1,200 full-time staff members. Additionally, the hospital has more than 600 credentialed physicians and advanced practice professionals as part of its medical staff.
Earlier this year, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center changed its name to HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital, signaling its connection to the state’s largest collaborative health care network. More than 450 affiliated sites of care across the state officially adopted the new HCA Florida Healthcare name on March 3. This transformation connects HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital to more than 11,000 physicians, 77,000 colleagues, 49 hospitals and more than 450 physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers.
Gulf Coast State College is proud to hold its 2021-22 Commencement on Friday, May 6 at the Sheraton Golf and Beach Resort.
More than 960 students will graduate from GCSC during the 2021-22 academic year, and over 400 graduates will be walking at the Graduation Ceremonies. The two ceremonies will recognize graduates in the following order:
10:00 a.m. Ceremony – Associate in Arts Degree recipients
2:00 p.m. Ceremony –Baccalaureate Degree, Associate in Science Degree, and Certificate recipients
The Ceremony will be streamed live for friends and family to watch their graduate. To access the live stream, please visit gcsctv.com.
HCA Florida Healthcare announces a new, statewide Consult-A-Nurse® line. By calling the free 24/7 line, consumers will speak with nurses ready to provide quick, convenient expert care advice and support.
When dialing (844) 70-NURSE (6-8773), consumers, including those recently discharged from the hospital, can ask questions or speak with a nurse about any symptoms or illnesses they or someone in their family may be experiencing. From burns, rashes, sprains, GI concerns and migraines to neurology and heart conditions, nurses can address a wide range of adult and pediatric issues.
Care When You Need It, Where You Need It
“When consumers call the Consult-A-Nurse® line, they can have peace of mind knowing they are speaking with a trained nurse,” said Tabitha Anglea, AVP of Customer Relationship Management-Clinical Operations at HCA Healthcare. “Our goal is to connect consumers across Florida with the care they need and treat them like family. Whether you’re a parent of a newborn with questions in the middle of the night or a recently discharged hospital patient overwhelmed by your next steps in care over a holiday weekend, we’ll be there to provide information or direct you to the right place at the right time to receive care.”
Using the caller’s zip code, Consult-A-Nurse® staff can identify nearby HCA Florida Healthcare emergency rooms and wait times if in-person, emergent care is advised. They will also direct callers to call 9-1-1 or to the nearest emergency room, urgent care or their primary care physician as appropriate based on Schmitt-Thompson triage guidelines, industry-leading decision support on a wide range of adult and pediatric symptoms.
“While my mother was visiting for the winter from Canada, she experienced minor chest pains. We weren’t sure if we should call anyone or not. Not wanting to take any chances, I called the Consult-A-Nurse line for an expert opinion,” said Cheryl Denton, daughter of HCA Florida Healthcare patient Linda Frail. “The nurse who answered the phone was so helpful and described how women often chalk up the warning signs of a heart attack to less serious issues like acid reflux. Thankfully, she advised us to go to the emergency room. She was able to tell us what to say when we arrived and even comforted us by sharing the current wait times. I’m so thankful for this service that helped us seek expert care quickly and easily.”
“As a leading personalized care network in the state, we are simplifying and expanding how consumers can reach our trusted nurses. We are thrilled to help our communities by answering Floridians’ most pressing healthcare questions wherever and whenever they need us,” said Anglea.
There will be no changes to current local phone numbers for hospitals or physician practices. This new, free clinical resource is provided by the facilities of the HCA Florida Healthcare network. With translation services available for many languages including Spanish, this line is another way HCA Florida Healthcare provides a comprehensive and connected network, continually improving quality and expanding access to care to all Floridians.
Gold Standard Broadcasting, Inc DBA ESPN Northwest Florida, Gold Standard Broadcasting, Inc owner of WGSX-FM, (Lynn Haven) Panama City/ESPN Northwest Florida has expanded their reach into the northern portion of the Panama City market with coverage in the cities of Marianna, Chipley, and Bonifay. The ESPN Northwest Florida signal will be broadcast on WTOT-AM 980 & translator frequency 102.1 FM.
Here we grow again…
According to Gold Standard Broadcasting, Inc’s President, Randy Williams “Many of our listeners travel on I-10 and Highway 231 for business and pleasure and will appreciate being able to continue listening in those areas”. Not only can you hear ESPN Northwest Florida on WGSX-FM 104.3, listeners can view our local shows (The Coach James Hale Show 7-9am & The Afternoon Underdogs 4p-6p) on many social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Twitch & on BlabTV in Pensacola with coverage in Mobile & Ft Walton/Destin. Listeners can also listen anytime by downloading the ESPN Northwest Florida app.
Join some of the biggest names in jazz during the 23rd Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, taking place April 20-24, 2022. Located at the west end of Panama City Beach, this renowned five-day jazz festival features some of the best smooth jazz artists in the country. Along with a performance-packed weekend of jazz, visitors can also explore the coast on a Seabreeze Jazz Cruise or keep the party going at the nightly After Party Shows.
“Our Seabreeze Jazz Festival welcomes award-winning jazz legends and over 20,000 visitors from around the world for five days of sun, fun and world renowned musical performances at our Real.Fun.Beach,” said Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe. “We’re thrilled to host this celebration in its 23rd year for jazz fans and visitors of all ages.”
The lineup of notable artists performing at this year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival include Boney James, Norman Brown, Charlie Wilson, Gerald Albright, Peabo Bryson, Marion Meadows, Jazz In Pink, and Marcus Anderson. Special guests include Ceelo Green, Four 80 East, Cindy Bradley, Eric Darius, Lindsey Webster, and many more.
In addition, a new After Party stage will be set up at the main festival site for the intimate nightly After Party Shows, featuring a cool, upscale “Jazz Bistro” feel.
For the complete lineup, schedule of performances, and tickets go to: www.seabreezejazzfestival.com.
The festivities kick off on Wednesday, April 20 with the Eric Darius Dinner Cruise beginning at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, April 21 through Sunday, April 24, festival entry starts at 10:00 a.m., and shows begin each day at noon.
There will be a “Hololab Media Day” at Tyndall, Thursday, March 17.
Air Force engineers will offer a rare look at the virtual reality world they have created for Tyndall AFB, Thursday, March 17, at 10 a.m.
The Hololab, sometimes compared to high end video games, serves as the gateway to the Digital Twin — a virtual world created to enhance maintenance, modeling and simulation for the Installation of the Future.
Using virtual reality goggles, large monitors and powerful computer systems, users will be able to run a range of simulations allowing them to see through walls to locate utilities, perform security exercise scenarios from any angle, model placement of equipment before, during, and after construction, and even test buildings against extreme weather scenarios.
This system, unique in the Department of Defense, incorporates lessons learned from Hurricane Michael, cutting edge installation planning concepts, and innovative technologies to help create a resilient, efficient, and sustainable 21st Century Air Force Base.
Engineers began digitally mapping Tyndall AFB last year to create a Digital Twin of the base. Now that the mapping is almost complete, the Hololab is ready to help provide situationally aware information to decision makers and planners.
Media representatives interested in attending the demonstration will meet at the Tyndall Visitor Control Center no later than 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, for escort to the demonstration site. Media representatives need valid press affiliate credentials and a valid state-issued I.D. or driver’s license to attend.
Subject matter experts will be available for interviews after the event upon request.
Please direct any questions to public affairs representative Don Arias at [email protected].
For the first time in Florida’s history, more than 450 HCA Florida Healthcare affiliated sites of care across the state will unite under a shared brand on March 3. This transformation will create a leading collaborative healthcare network in the state, united through a shared dedication to improve more lives in more ways.
With one baby born every 17 minutes at an HCA Florida Healthcare hospital and trauma outcomes better than the national average, we believe the future for Floridians is bright. Throughout the state, patients and families can continue to expect HCA Florida Healthcare’s trusted physicians and nurses to deliver care like family, with no changes to facility hours of operation or phone numbers.
Commitment to Care Like Family
HCA Florida Healthcare will connect approximately 11,000 physicians and 77,000 colleagues serving their communities at 49 hospital campuses, more than 350 physician practices and freestanding emergency rooms and more than 50 urgent care centers. New facility names will clearly illustrate connection to a unified, collaborative network of caregivers who have shown up to prove their dedication and strength throughout the pandemic.
“Our Florida colleagues and physicians have always been united in their commitment to serving our patients and caring like family. Over the past two years, we’ve come together in ways that better serve our communities and our colleagues, proving that our connectedness is our strength,” said Chuck Hall, national group president at HCA Healthcare. “This transition reflects our mission and our commitment to all we serve as we continue to work together to deliver high-quality care for patients across the Sunshine State.”
Floridians Benefit from HCA Florida Healthcare’s Commitment to Patients
As a comprehensive and connected healthcare system, HCA Florida Healthcare continually strives to improve quality, expand patient access to care, address the ongoing nursing shortage, respond during times of disaster, advance diversity in healthcare and fund and collaborate with non-profit organizations to address high-priority community needs. Additionally, a partnership between HCA Florida Healthcare’s trauma centers and the University of South Florida Health has identified data-driven best practices that lead to improved clinical outcomes for trauma patients – better than the national average.
In recent months, HCA Florida Healthcare shared the following commitments to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the state:
Two new Galen College of Nursing campuses will expand access to quality nursing education and help address the state’s nursing workforce shortage;
Plans for three new hospitals will offer patient-centered, high-quality care to more Floridians in Gainesville, Fort Myers and adjacent to The Villages;
A new partnership with Florida A&M University will strengthen students’ pathways from undergraduate to graduate to management careers in the healthcare industry, part of HCA Healthcare’s broader commitment to give $10 million over three years to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions to advance diversity in healthcare;
MD Now Urgent Care facilities recently joined the HCA Florida Healthcare Family to improve patients’ access to a comprehensive statewide network of care, including acute care and specialty services;
The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery opened earlier this year for patients with thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal concerns. This specialized facility, part of the HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital, is the first program of its kind in Florida dedicated to endocrine surgery; and
The new HCA Florida University Hospital opened in November 2021 in Davie, representing a $360 million investment in delivering high-quality, personalized care to South Florida.
Making Healthcare More Accessible to Floridians
HCA Florida Healthcare is a purpose-driven brand that aims to make it simpler and easier for patients to access the high-quality care they need by:
Making it easier to understand where to receive care. New names of hospitals and physician practices reflect extensive consumer research into what patients are looking for when they seek medical care and what terms are most understood. In many cases, new names also more accurately reflect a facility’s location and communities served;
Bringing hospitals and physician practices together in a unified website that offers an enhanced experience with personalized content, advanced geolocation and improved physician search functionality;
Standardizing uniforms by role to make it easier for patients and their families to understand physician and colleague responsibilities and functions in a care setting; and
Introducing new statewide services that will improve access to care, including a new statewide Consult-a-Nurse phone number. This free and easy service for Floridians will answer questions and provide guidance about their health issues. The number is scheduled to be activated in April, and to be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so people across the state always have a valuable health resource.
A Whole New State of Healthcare
This month, HCA Florida Healthcare facilities will celebrate the new statewide brand launch. From fireworks to blood drives, family festivals to gospel choirs, colleagues will commemorate this milestone with fanfare, including:
Showcasing Our Innovative Technologies: As one of Florida’s newest hospitals, UCF Lake Nona Hospital will focus its brand launch on celebrating its first birthday with colleagues and the community. To highlight a year of accomplishments, leaders will attend community events to showcase how this hospital of the future has embarked on strategies to facilitate and promote innovative healthcare delivery, including becoming the first in Central Florida to perform incisionless brain surgery;
Demonstrating Our Commitment to Community: Five Orlando-area hospitals, including HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, UCF Lake Nona Hospital and Oviedo Medical Center, will host HCA Florida Healthcare Day at Second Harvest Food Bank on March 4, where they will present five vans of food donations representing each of the hospitals, and host a colleague volunteer event at the food bank. The community outreach and fundraising efforts will continue on the organization’s behalf throughout the month. Additionally, 14 hospitals in East Florida are coming together to tackle the critical blood shortage in the state, hosting simultaneous blood drives with One Blood on March 3;
Singing a New Song: HCA Florida Aventura Hospital will unveil its new logo in true Miami style with stilt walkers, a DJ, food trucks and local community partners, while flags representing the many countries our colleagues represent will be paired with a DJ and dancing at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami. Other hospitals, including HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, will feature local bands, university bands and a gospel choir;
Celebrating Our Colleagues: Aircraft waving HCA Florida Healthcare banners will conduct flyovers over 15 West Florida hospitals, from HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness to HCA Florida Englewood Hospital in Englewood and HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte. HCA Florida Blake Hospital will also offer pet therapy for caregivers in its courtyard. Facilities across the state will also host local favorite food trucks amidst internal celebrations, deliver swag and create lighthearted moments for colleagues; and
Welcoming Our Littlest Family Members: Babies born at HCA Florida Healthcare facilities across the state on March 3 will help celebrate the launch of the new statewide brand in style. Florida babies who will share a birthday with HCA Florida Healthcare will be dressed in a limited-edition onesie in the brand’s signature orange.
HCA Florida Healthcare has a long history of investing in Florida to effect positive change, including a major capital investment initiative of approximately $3 billion spent over the last three years. This includes the $360 million HCA Florida University Hospital and existing facility renovations across the state to accommodate new, state-of-the-art equipment. HCA Florida Healthcare has also supported local communities with more than $957 million in state taxes over the past three years as a tax-paying entity. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com to learn more.
Visit Panama City Beach is pleased to announce Publix Super Markets as the title sponsor of the outdoor fields facility at the Panama City Beach Sports Complex. With this partnership, the destination’s premier sports tourism and community recreation venue will be re-christened as “Publix Sports Park” at Panama City Beach.
Publix Sports Park is a $41 million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility that offers the ultimate venue for sports enthusiasts in Panama City Beach, with nine turf fields, four natural grass fields, dedicated tournament buildings, two championship fields with seating for up to 1,500 spectators and more than 1,000 parking spots. The complex hosts soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, baseball, softball and other youth and elite amateur sporting events.
“We are extremely honored to announce this partnership between Publix and Visit Panama City Beach,” said Dan Rowe, Visit Panama City Beach president and CEO. “With this valuable support from Publix, a company known throughout the region for its community involvement, the park is poised for success as we continue to establish Panama City Beach as a top destination for sports tourism.”
“Since opening, the facility has exceeded expectations because of the strong teamwork between Bay County, the Tourist Development Council and Sports Facilities Companies,” said Jason Clement, Sports Facilities Management founder and CEO. “Including Publix is like adding a hall-of-fame teammate to the middle of the line-up. Their commitment will accelerate every measurable outcome of improving the health and economic vitality in Bay County.”
In 2019, the sports park hosted 80,000 visitors and filled 120,000 room nights in the destination for a $56 million-dollar direct impact in less than a year after opening. Following the pandemic, the facility has played a vital role in the destination’s recovery due to the strong demand for sports tourism in Panama City Beach. Between April and September 2021, the park hosted a total of 26 tournaments, which brought in more than 1,600 teams consisting of 22,5000 athletes. The summer season brought an economic impact exceeding $50 million and the sports park hosted 43 tournaments between October and December 2021.
“As a food retailer, we support the health and wellness journeys of our customers and their families,” said Hannah Herring Publix media manager. “As a community partner, youth sports is an integral part of wellness and provides our kids with important skill sets, such as teamwork, collaboration and a sense of belonging. We are proud to sponsor the Publix Sports Park at Panama City Beach and are excited to build life-long relationships with our customers, youth and visitors to the complex alike.”
During the five-year term of the partnership, Publix will also be the Presenting Sponsor of Visit Panama City Beach’s signature “UNwineD” event.
Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center announced today the appointment of Brittany Durr, DNP, RN, as the Chief Nursing Officer, effective March 1, 2022.
“Dr. Durr is a transformational leader that brings a wealth of nursing experience to the Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center team,” said Brad Griffin, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center. “As CNO, she will be responsible for overseeing all nursing operations and working in partnership with her nursing team, other support departments and the community to ensure our core focus continues to be on providing compassionate, high-quality care to our patients in Bay County and the surrounding areas. We are excited to welcome Brittany to the team.”
Durr most recently served as Vice President of Nursing Operations at HCA Healthcare North Florida Division in Tallahassee, Fla. Throughout her leadership in the field of nursing, Durr assisted in the development of the overall strategic direction for the practice of nursing and nursing operations across HCA Healthcare North Florida Division facilities and led the division patient and employee Care Experience efforts, coordinated improvement efforts in conjunction hospital-based care experience champions, fostered a culture of excellence in patient care. Durr previously served as the Director of Women and Children’s Services at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
“I am excited to join the leadership team at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center,” said Dr. Brittany Durr, Chief Nursing Officer. “Nurses serve in some of the most important roles in healthcare and make a difference every day in the lives of our patients. Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center is an outstanding hospital, and it is my honor to collaborate with nursing staff, physicians and the Bay County community to advance the hospital’s care.”
Durr obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Capella University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
To learn more about Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and its leadership team, visit www.gcmc-pc.com.
The Gulf Coast State College Foundation is excited to host their Annual Dinner and Student Showcase fundraiser on Saturday, February 12th at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort. The event will kick off with a reception at 5:30 p.m.; followed by dinner, student presentations and donor recognitions at 6:45 p.m. All proceeds will help support the Gulf Coast Guarantee Scholarship that is eligible to high school seniors in Bay, Franklin and Gulf Counties.
Reservations and sponsorships for the dinner and awards ceremony are available by contacting Erin Keel at 850-872-3815 or [email protected]
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022
Time: Reception begins at 5:30 p.m.; program and dinner begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. (media advised to arrive at 6:00 p.m.)
Location: Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
ABOUT THE GCSC FOUNDATION
The Gulf Coast State College Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities and program support for students enrolled at Gulf Coast State College. The Foundation is committed to the belief that every deserving student merits a chance to continue his or her education regardless of cost.
The Foundation, with the support of individuals, businesses, other foundations and grants, has created and endowed more than 750 scholarships. For 52 years, the Foundation has served Gulf Coast State College by donating more than $26 million for scholarship and program support.