HCA Healthcare Physician Services

At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to delivering high-quality, safe care to our patients. Quality is embedded in our culture and our colleagues collaborate to improve quality of care, reduce risks and avoid preventable harm. During Patient Safety Awareness Week, recognized March 9-15, we extend our gratitude to our colleagues for working together to champion safety, protect patients and improve outcomes. Thank you for putting safety first, each time. #ImproveMoreLives #PSAW25

On National #Hospitalist Day, we are proud to join our larger HCA Healthcare network in thanking hospitalist clinicians for their compassion and expertise. These highly skilled hospital medicine practitioners provide exemplary clinical care to our patients during their hospital stay by diagnosing, managing and treating a wide range of conditions as well as coordinating care across many specialties. Thank you to dedicated hospitalists across HCA Healthcare for your commitment to the care and improvement of human life. #CareLikeFamily #HospitalistDay

To celebrate our certified anesthesiologist assistants during this #CAAWeek we spotlight Mark Leonard, a trailblazer in the field of anesthesia and a dedicated colleague at HCA Florida Trinity Hospital in Physician Services’ West Florida Division. When he entered the field in the United States, Mark was one of only two providers who were certified anesthesiologist assistants and APPs, licensed in the United Kingdom and United States. Over the past 25 years, Mark has developed his career to become a reputable clinician and effective mentor for the next generation of anesthesiologists. In 2018, Mark left his native UK with his family to help develop the programs in Florida. Was it a difficult transition? “We took our kids to Disney, and that was it. They were sold,” he said. “And we’ve never been back to the UK since.” ? What attracted you to the CAA role? "I had worked in several roles within the OR, such as scrub tech, recovery, and even assisting the anesthesia team, when I started hearing more about a combined CAA/APP program. It seemed like a natural progression for me. I secured one of the first training seats at my hospital, with 44 ORs, 100 anesthesiologists and 100 residents. The hospital where I worked was the main military hospital in the area. So, during the Afghanistan crisis, we treated both civilians and soldiers with non-opioid methods, addressing pain, phantom pain and PTSD. It was hard work but very rewarding." ? What would you tell someone considering becoming a CAA? "They need to know that the field has become highly competitive after years of being the best job no one knew about. The competition starts early, so they should be sure to have solid grades and GRE or MCAT scores. They also need to remember that their responsibility is keeping someone alive in a place where multiple split-second decisions are made. So, it is very physically and mentally demanding." ? What specific skill has helped you be a successful CAA? "Communication. Part of that is reading a room and knowing when to speak up and when to be quiet, especially in an OR. Communication skills also help you connect with patients who may be suffering from anxiety." ? Mark’s role at Trinity Hospital is multifaceted. He works three days a week at the hospital and two days teaching at Nova Southeastern University, balancing clinical practice with academic responsibilities. “I’ve always had a great history of teaching, so it’s important for me to teach in the classroom and then hone students in the operating rooms,” Mark emphasized. We are proud to have CAA/APP Mark Leonard as part of our team, bringing his wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to Trinity Hospital. #healthiertomorrows #carelikefamily

We are very excited that our our own chief clinical officer, Mike Cuffe, is featured in this exclusive list of healthcare professionals. Congratulations, Dr. Cuffe! #improvingmorelives #carelikefamily

#heartmonth #improvingmorelives

February marks Black History Month – a time to honor the achievements of Black Americans and recognize their integral role in helping shape U.S. history. We’re proud to honor the legacy of generations of Black Americans whose resilience and innovation continue to inspire us. We remain committed to building a brighter, healthier future for all. #BlackHistoryMonth

Congratulations to our hospital partners! An excellent achievement! #improvemorelives #carelikefamily

Each year, HCA Healthcare cares for more new families than any other health system, delivering more than 212,000 babies across our network of care. We are proud to partner with March of Dimes to help improve maternal and infant outcomes in the US. January is recognized as National Birth Defects Awareness Month. Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born in the US each year and is the leading cause of infant mortality. You can take steps to prevent birth defects before and during pregnancy to give your baby a healthy start. Learn more about birth defects at https://lnkd.in/eXmv_GS7. #HealthierTomorrows

CRNA Spotlight: Jacob Fogner, Co-Chief CRNA for Johnstone Willis, Richmond, VA What do you enjoy most about being a CRNA? I really enjoy getting to work with one patient at a time, even if I’m not with them for a long period of time. After meeting them in pre-op, they're basically putting their life in my hands. While the surgical team does their work, we make sure that everything else goes well. Afterwards, I always like to see when patients wake up with minimal pain or are discharged without incident. Those are definitely some satisfying moments. Being a CRNA is definitely the best job I’ve ever had. Speak about the role of teamwork/collaboration in your field. In addition to the surgeons, we get to work with nurses, surgical assistants, pre-op nurses and post-op nurses. We also collaborate with other anesthesia team members. It’s a very friendly environment. What would you tell someone considering becoming a CRNA? Well, first off, I would tell them to do it, but I’d also tell them to prepare themselves for a long road leading to a great career. Getting into and through school is one of the hardest things they’ll do, but there's a beautiful light at the end of that tunnel. #CRNAWeek #ImproveMoreLives

CRNA Spotlight: Jared Petersmith, CRNA at HCA Florida Northside Hospital What do you enjoy most about being a CRNA? For me, one of the most enjoyable parts about being a CRNA is that it’s fast-paced and never the same two days in a row. It’s always something different. It can be stressful and high risk, but I enjoy that part. This work keeps us on our toes, requiring us to stay on top of the new technology and methods. Speak about the role of teamwork/collaboration in your field. Collaboration is an essential part of the position. Before the procedure even begins, we partner with the surgeon to determine what’s best for the patient, and that work continues through the surgical suite, all the way to post-op and recovery. We take care of the patient, make sure the surgeons have the information they need and then, as needed, work with the patients’ therapists and general practitioners. What would you tell someone considering becoming a CRNA? CRNAs are passionate about protecting their patients, and they enjoy what they do. It is a challenging profession that requires constant work to stay on top of developments, but it is extremely rewarding. Also, no two days are ever going to be the same because no two patients are the same. So, we always have to be on our toes to try to be eyes and ears for the patient and speak up for them. #ImproveMoreLives #CRNAWeek