HCA Florida West Marion Hospital

One of our pet therapy dogs, Jemma, is ready for spooky season! We are looking to add to our team of dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers are a vital part of our healthcare team who make a lasting impression on not only our patients’ lives, but on our colleagues and visitors as well. If you are motivated to donate your time and talents, we invite you to join the dedicated volunteers at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital. To learn more about our volunteer programs and apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/4ePL2ag #Volunteering #VolunteersWanted #CareLikeFamily

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred gold-level Beacon Awards for Excellence on the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and the Intensive Care Unit at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital. The organization conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are the only hospitals in Marion County designated with Beacon Awards for Excellence. “HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are home to 93 intensive care beds,” Alan Keesee, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital chief executive officer said. “Our hospitals now make up 25 percent of the Beacon gold-level awards in the state of Florida. The dedication to excellence demonstrated by our ICU nurses set the standard for the rest of the county and state.” This designates award-winning comprehensive intensive care across our 93 ICU beds - the most in the region - here to serve our growing community. Beacon awardees set the standard for excellence in patient care environments. The award highlights caregivers in units whose approach to evidence-based care and unit and hospital culture optimizes outcomes. The AACN’s recognition signifies an effective and systematic approach to policies, procedures and processes that include engagement of staff and key stakeholders; fact-based evaluation strategies for continuous process improvement; and performance measures that meet or exceed relevant benchmarks. The Intensive Care Unit at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital also holds a Beacon gold designation awarded in 2022. To learn more about this designation, visit: https://bit.ly/4h38UIS #BeaconAwards #NursingExcellence#BeaconGold

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MCFR unveiled the Pink Fire Truck! This E-One fire truck will be in service for the entire month of October at the Friendship Fire Station #21 located at On Top of the World. Our hospitals are home to a NAPBC-accredited breast oncology program. Breast tumors, both cancerous and noncancerous, are among the most common health problems women face today. Through our partnership with Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, we offer integrated breast cancer services with convenient access to leading-edge therapies for those facing breast cancer in our community. Thank you to the Board of County Commissioners for championing this truck and the Professional Firefighters of Marion County for their unwavering support to this noble cause. To learn more about our breast health services, visit: https://bit.ly/4eXajyG #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancer #Oncology

We’re grateful to have provided care for our patients and continued to care for our community through the storm. We want to extend our deepest thanks to our exceptional team for their hard work and dedication in supporting these efforts. Their commitment ensured our patients continued to receive the highest quality care during a critical time. Our community, and all those impacted across the state, are in our thoughts. Please stay safe. #WeShowUp #HurricaneMilton #CareLikeFamily

As we prepare for the potential of Hurricane Milton, put preparedness in your pocket with our disaster relief partner, American Red Cross. Help keep you and your loved ones safe with real-time alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety advice on hurricanes and other emergencies by downloading this or other apps for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or visiting https://rdcrss.org/47ZdIuP. Should severe weather occur, please plan to visit our hospital website https://bit.ly/3BDt8IX for the latest status updates and information.

UPDATE: Canceled due to impending storm. We will reschedule for a later date. Don't forget to RSVP to our Cancer Survivor Cooking Demo! This class will take place on Tuesday, October 8 between 10:30am - 11:30am at the HCA Florida West Marion Medical Office Building. Register here: https://bit.ly/4eS8iUt This educational and delicious event is in honor of our local cancer survivors! Oncology Nurse Navigator Julie Bonnie will talk about food safety and nutritional support for cancer patients in treatment or taste changes after treatment was over. Registered dietician Amy Freeman will demonstrate a mocktail and some small bites dishes for attendees to enjoy! #CancerSurvivor #HealthyRecipes #OncologyCare

Breast Cancer Awareness Month continued with a program review of our High Risk Women’s Program with Ambry Genetics and Mammo Night at HCA Ocala Imaging Center! Mammograms are still the recommended screening exam for breast cancer, but your breast tissue density and personal and/or family history of cancer may mean you need enhanced screening exams like breast ultrasound or breast MRI. Genetic cancer risk assessment is also available at HCA Ocala to see if you would benefit from genetic testing based on your personal risk factors. Talk to your doctor about these options today! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3zHqpxz #HealthierTomorrows #screeningsaveslives #CareLikeFamily #HCAFloridaHealthcare

The Dr. C. Taylor Lewis and the vascular surgery team recently surpassed 100 transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) procedures! These minimally invasive procedures help prevent stroke. Please join us in congratulating the team! #RaisingTheBar #PreventStroke #VascularCar

This week HCA Florida Ocala Hospital celebrates the service of Paramedic Clifton Murphy and EMT Ronald Shepherd. Clifton and Ronald are part of Marion County Fire Rescue's “High Performance” team, which consists of Paramedics and EMTs who serve primarily in the greater Ocala area. Clifton Murphy has been a Paramedic for 12 years of his 14-year EMS career. Ronald Shepherd has been an EMT coming up on 2 years and is enjoying starting his career serving the citizens and visitors of Ocala and Marion County. Clifton has been integral in developing the esprit de corps of the High Performance teams by designing logos and patches for the team and promoting teamwork and camaraderie within the organization. Clifton and Ronald take great pride in their service and care provided to Marion County. We are proud to feature them as our EMS Crew of the Week. #CrewoftheWeek #EmergencyCare #RaisingTheBar

HCA Florida Healthcare and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County recognize the first recipient of the ‘Thank a Teacher’ program HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC), are pleased to honor Michaela Collins of Hillcrest School in Ocala as the first recipient of the “Thank a Teacher” award. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO Alan Keesee recognized Collins during a ceremony at the school on Sept. 25. Joining him for the presentation were Marion County School Board Chairwoman Nancy Thrower and other board members as well as PEFMC representatives. “Teachers are among our community’s vital public servants, working tirelessly to educate our children and put them on a path to a brighter future,” said Keesee. “HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is proud to recognize Michaela with this first ‘Thank a Teacher’ award and honor her as a representative of the excellent work educators do in classrooms throughout our community.” Collins was selected from a pool of nominees compiled and judged by previous winners of the Golden Apple Award, the highest honor given to public school teachers in Marion County. Chairwoman Thrower said, “This event was incredibly heartwarming and meant so much — not just to the recipient but the entire staff and community as well. HCA Florida Healthcare is such a tremendous partner and makes such a difference.” PEFMC Executive Director Meghan Magamoll added, “We are truly appreciative of the partnership with HCA Florida Healthcare for providing this opportunity for parents, community members, and students to nominate and acknowledge educators who have a positive influence on students' lives every day. Teachers deserve praise all year long, not just during the dedicated ‘Teacher Appreciation Week,’ and this is our chance as a community to come together and Thank A Teacher.” Throughout the 2024-25 school year, students, families and staff members are encouraged to share their stories about a particular teacher's inspiring actions, supportive words, creative lessons, or just their overall positive impact. Teachers selected as a result of nominations from the public will receive $250 and a special email containing those heartfelt messages. Visit this link to learn more about the “Thank a Teacher” program and the nomination process: https://bit.ly/4gQCMbq #ThankATeacher #WeShowUp #CommunityPartners