HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) announced the opening today of the Health Academy of Northwest Florida on the hospital’s campus. The Health Academy of Northwest Florida is the first high school health academy to be housed on an HCA Healthcare hospital campus anywhere in the country. A joint partnership between HCA Florida Fort-Walton Destin Hospital and OCSD, the Health Academy of Northwest Florida provides high school students interested in healthcare careers the opportunity to earn industry certifications, providing them with the skills they need to directly enter the workforce or continue their post-graduate studies.
“Our team is honored and excited to have the Health Academy of Northwest Florida open and teaching the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “The health and wellbeing of our community is our top priority, and this partnership allows us to address growing healthcare needs while helping students connect with a rewarding career path.”
Students enrolled in the two-year practical nursing program learn the foundational principles of basic nursing and medical skills needed to provide care to patients.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital for their continuous support in bringing the Health Academy of Northwest Florida to fruition," said Marcus Chambers, Superintendent of the Okaloosa County School District. This facility will provide our students with practical nursing training, enabling them to earn industry-recognized certifications and creating a direct path from high school to employment in leading local hospitals or other medical facilities.
Students at Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, and Niceville High School are eligible to participate in the practical nursing program through the Career and Technical Education Department of OCSD. Students receive hands-on clinical training at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital during their senior year. Upon completion of the two-year program, students will be eligible to earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), and/or Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG) certification. Juniors who complete the program will have the opportunity for dual enrollment in the LPN program at Okaloosa Technical College during their senior year, and get a head start on earning their required course hours toward an LPN license.
“We are grateful for this pioneering collaboration, alongside the invaluable support and funding provided by Triumph Gulf Coast for this program,” said April Branscome, OCSD Career and Technical Education Program Director. “This marks a historic milestone as the first initiative of its kind nationwide, ushering in a transformative era in healthcare education. Together, we embark on this journey of innovation, poised to redefine the future of healthcare education.”
As part of the partnership, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital provided a 6,375-square-foot-space to OCSD for the Health Academy of Northwest Florida, which includes two classrooms and two practical labs. Students who successfully complete the practical nursing program will have job placement opportunities throughout HCA Florida Healthcare. In addition, if employed by an HCA Florida Healthcare facility, tuition reimbursement will be available for students wishing to continue their education.
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About Okaloosa County School District
The Okaloosa County School District is a High Achieving A+ School District Nationally recognized for Academics. Our Mission is to place students on a pathway to success by providing high-quality instruction, a wide array of marketable experiences, and unparalleled extracurricular opportunities while developing relationships that meet both their academic and emotional needs. Our vision is to prepare our students for success within and beyond the classroom, whether that be college, the military, or the workforce.
About HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is a 326-bed full-service hospital. It is the only Level II Trauma Center in the Tri-County Area, with nearly 200 highly respected and qualified physicians. For women and children services, we have the area's only 24/7 in-house midwifery program. Its expanded emergency services include a dedicated Pediatric ER, 24/7 HCA Florida Destin Emergency, 24/7 HCA Florida Navarre Emergency, and the full-service 24/7 HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Emergency. It is the only acute care hospital in the Tri-County area that offers open heart surgery, an Accredited Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an Accredited Chest Pain Center, and a Cancer Care Center that is accredited by the Commission on Cancer and an Associate of the UAB Birmingham Health System Cancer Community Network. HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center, located in Destin, Florida is the only inpatient acute care rehab facility in the tri-county area.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms, and urgent care centers. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues working together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 11.6 million patient encounters each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provides more than $903 million in uncompensated care and contributes nearly $2.2 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s largest cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.