HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Honors Veterans

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Honors Veterans with New Veterans Wall and Veterans Safe Place Designation

New tribute recognizes the military service, sacrifice and continued contributions
of veterans within the hospital family

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (November 11, 2026) – HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital honored veterans during a special Veterans Day celebration Wednesday, unveiling a new Veterans Wall and receiving a Veterans Safe Place designation certificate presented by Aaron Hargraves of Fire Watch. The event celebrated the service and continued contributions of military veterans within the hospital family while underscoring HCA Healthcare’s broader commitment to veterans and their families.

Hospital leadership, veteran colleagues, community veterans, team members and invited guests gathered to recognize the courage, sacrifice and dedication of those who have served. Veterans shared personal reflections on their military experiences and the values of service, commitment and compassion they carry into healthcare.

During the celebration, Aaron Hargraves of Fire Watch presented the hospital with its Veterans Safe Place designation certificate. The recognition added a new dimension to the hospital’s Veterans Day observance and its commitment to supporting the veteran community.

The hospital also unveiled its new Veterans Wall in the cafeteria. The permanent display honors veterans who are part of the hospital family and recognizes their military service and continued contributions to patient care and the community.

“Our veterans have dedicated themselves to serving others, first through their military service and now through the important work they do in caring for our patients and community,” said KC Donahey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “This Veterans Wall is more than a display. It is a lasting reminder of their sacrifice, their courage and our deep appreciation for the service they have given to our country. We are incredibly proud to honor them as part of our hospital family.”

The local celebration coincided with HCA Healthcare’s recognition as a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times for the seventh consecutive year. The annual, editorially independent ranking evaluates employers’ recruitment, employment practices, benefits and support programs for veterans and military-connected employees. HCA Healthcare was also recognized as a five-star employer by VETS Indexes.

Since 2012, HCA Healthcare has hired more than 75,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses. The company employs more than 18,300 military-affiliated colleagues nationwide and has hired more than 14,000 military spouses since joining the “Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses” campaign as an inaugural employer partner in 2018.

In honor of Veterans Day, HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation are giving a combined $200,000 to organizations serving veterans, military families and caregivers. HCA Healthcare is contributing $50,000 each to Blue Star Families, CreatiVets and Wreaths Across America. The HCA Healthcare Foundation is contributing $50,000 to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which supports caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans.

HCA Healthcare also supports military-connected colleagues through recruitment partnerships, career-transition opportunities, its Military Colleague Network, and military leave and supplemental pay for eligible colleagues.