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HCA Florida Healthcare Announces KC Donahey as Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital | |
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Fort Walton Beach, Fla. – HCA Florida Healthcare announced today the appointment of Kenneth ‘KC’ Donahey as chief executive officer of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, effective Feb. 1, 2025. In his new role, Donahey will oversee the 331-bed hospital in Fort Walton Beach, which has served the community for over 50 years. He will also oversee the hospital’s freestanding emergency rooms in Destin and Navarre.
“KC brings a wealth of leadership experience as well as a proven track record of operational excellence and advancements in the delivery of care for our patients,” said HCA Healthcare North Florida Division President Brian Cook. “We are excited for KC to join the HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital family and look forward to continued growth in advanced treatment options and key service areas for the communities we serve.”
Donahey has more than two decades of experience in healthcare, having served in various leadership roles at HCA Healthcare.
“I look forward to joining the exceptional team at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and working to expand our services and attract top talent, ensuring we provide outstanding care for our local community," stated KC Donahey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. "With a legacy of impactful contributions over the past 50 years, I am confident we will achieve even greater milestones together.”
Donahey comes from HCA Florida Healthcare’s Oviedo Medical Center, where he had served as the hospital’s CEO since it opened in 2017. Through Donahey’s leadership and vision, Oviedo Medical Center undertook multiple hospital expansions and growth initiatives, including developing innovative surgical service lines, while achieving outstanding quality metrics and earning top patient, colleague, physician and board of trustee engagement. Oviedo Medical Center continues to achieve top physician engagement, placing the hospital among the top performers across the North Florida Division’s 15 hospitals. Read more...
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Upcoming Committee Meetings: Are you seeking opportunities for professional development and personal growth. Come to one or all eleven of our chamber committees to see what the buzz is about! | |
Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more! | |
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We know it is very pretty and inviting but please 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐅𝐅 off the Okaloosa Island Bridge-to-Bridge path. The photoluminescent path is still very much under construction. While the path paving is nearing completion there is still much more work to do to stabilize and create safe parking areas at the federally owned beach accesses.
The approximate 4-mile pedestrian/cycling path, traversing between Brooks and Marler bridges, will also be photoluminescent and will glow in the dark at night. Completion is expected in spring or early summer 2025. No traffic disruptions or lane closures are expected but motorists should use caution in the area.
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Do you know someone who would be a great lifeguard for Okaloosa County? Okaloosa Beach Safety’s team is in need of motivated individuals to protect Okaloosa County beaches.
Starting pay after training is $20/hour - Apply today to join the Beach Safety team as a lifeguard.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/4755916-0/beach-lifeguard-temporary
For any & all questions feel free to call 850-259-4131.
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CRA TO OFFER $5,000 FOR WINNING DESIGN OF NEW DOWNTOWN ENTRANCE SIGN
The City of Fort Walton Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency announces a design competition for a new Downtown Entrance Sign at the intersection of Eglin Parkway SE and Miracle Strip Parkway SE, next to the historic Gulfview Hotel building.
The winning designer will receive a $5,000 award.
The designs will be reviewed, and a winning design selected, by a committee that will not know the identity of the artists. Designs can be submitted in person or via email from March 5, 2025, through 5 p.m. on March 31, 2025.
Please visit fwb.org/cra to learn more about the competition rules and design requirements.
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CAMP WALTON VILLAGE CONDOS RECEIVE CRA GRANT FOR PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS
We congratulate the Camp Walton Village Condominium Board of Directors for their Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Façade Grant in the amount of $9,970.50. The board used the 50/50 matching grant to make a number of aesthetic improvements to the condominium grounds.
Those improvements included planting a variety of native species like camellia, azaleas, and Crinum Lillies in front of the complex’s four buildings along Alconese Avenue Southeast and constructing enclosures for the condominium’s dumpster and air conditioning units.
The CRA Façade Grant is an incentive available to property owners located within the boundaries of the CRA District for aesthetic improvements to the exterior of existing buildings and property. To learn more about the CRA District and the available grants, visit fwb.org/cra.
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FORT WALTON BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINS IN OLD DAILY NEWS BUILDING
In January, Fort Walton Beach Firefighters conducted training in the old Northwest Florida Daily News building, located at the corner of Eglin Parkway and Hollywood Boulevard.
The building, which had been slated for demolition, offered an ideal opportunity for the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department and other firefighting agencies in the community to hone their skills in a real-world setting.
“It’s great to have real buildings to train on,” said Fort Walton Beach Fire Chief Jeremy Morgan. “It’s an opportunity to practice some firefighting techniques, like forcible entry through doors, without having to worry about destroying property.”
In mid-February, a contractor began demolition of the 2-story building, which will be replaced by a new Murphy USA gas station and convenience store.
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Congratulations to our Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage, who was appointed to the State Immigration Enforcement Council by Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
The Council is an advisory body that advises the new State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, which includes Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
The Florida Legislature established the State Board of Immigration Enforcement in February 2025 to combat illegal immigration in the state of Florida.
"I'm pleased to appoint Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage to serve on the State Immigration Enforcement Council,” said Patronis. “Before serving nearly 30 years in Florida law enforcement, Chief Bage served two years in the United States Navy and has great experience protecting America’s borders from illegal immigration from his time with the United States Border Patrol. During his tenure with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Chief Bage reformed and grew the Department to be more effective at serving the local community. For these reasons and more, I believe Chief Bage will serve as a fine addition to the State Immigration Enforcement Council, and I wish him the best of luck.”
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Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation to Host the 5th Annual College and Career Fair
The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation is thrilled to host the 5th Annual College & Career Fair on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Beachside Community Church (200 Racetrack Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach). This exciting event provides students valuable opportunities to explore college, career, and military pathways after graduation. Event Schedule:
- 8 am - 10 am: Fort Walton Beach and Niceville Students (Breakfast Provided)
- 11 am - 1 pm: Choctawhatchee Students (Lunch Provided)
This year’s event is not drop-in style. Students are expected to stay for the entire session. Attendees will have a chance to win prizes and gift cards! The event is free and students are responsible for their transportation. Registration is required, and students can sign up by clicking here.
Specific event information is available on the registration form link above. Please see your school's point of contact for event permission forms. School Point of Contact:
- Choctawhatchee: Front Office
- Fort Walton Beach: Guidance Office
- Niceville: Front Office
Businesses and organizations looking to participate can register here: Vendor Registration Link
For questions, please get in touch with Debbie Tate at tated@okaloosaschools.com or (850) 974-0742.
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A treasure chest of free data exists that small businesses can use to guide their marketing strategies inside Google Analytics. Rather than trying to teach Google Analytics, this live SBDC webinar with Matt from ROAR! Internet Marketing simply focuses on five specific questions that drive digital marketing decisions and how to find those specific answers. You'll also have a chance to ask your key questions and get added insights. Sign up at no cost today! https://tinyurl.com/roar-march | Get the "lowdown" this spring on small business government contracting. Learn about getting registered with the System for Award Management (SAM), special "set asides" for minority-owned businesses (including women and disabled veterans), and how to navigate the procurement process at all levels of government. Reserve your spot now for this free evening workshop at Beachworx in Destin including some light bites! tinyurl.com/contracting-101 | It’s tough for small businesses to get funding. The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida and Otro Financial will explore alternative funding sources at an upcoming low-cost webinar. Learn about alternative funding options for small business owners who need money to start, support or expand their operations. Sign up to tune in 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 with time to pose specific questions. tinyurl.com/whenbankssayno-march | | | | |
