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Photos Special to the Daily NewsConstruction on General Hospital of Fort Walton Beach started in May 1972. Left: Mrs. Robinson was the first patient admitted to what was then General Hospital of Fort Walton Beach. She gavebirth to her son, Christopher, soon after being admitted. Above right: Brenda Fields works in the laboratory at Fort Walton BeachMedical Center. Fields was hired in September of 1974, and is one of 34 employees that have worked at the hospital for 30 or moreyears.Fort Walton Beach MedicaCentercelebratesIstrong historyIBy DUSTY RICKETTS315-4448 | @DustyRnwidndricketts@nwtdailynewi.comFORT WALTON BEACH— It’s gone by different names and has had various owners, but the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center’s mission has been the same for 40 years.“At Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, we have been proud to have a strong history here in our community,” said Vicki Tarro. executive assistant at the hospital. “We have had a few name changes over the years, several new administrators ... we added a lot of services.”The hospital celebrated its 40th anniversary at a recentVbanquet that brought together hospital staff, administrators and residents.The General Hospital of Fort Walton Beach was open on July 22, 1974. It was renamed Humana Hospital of Fort Walton Beach inFort Walton Beach Medical 1983 and to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in 1993.Center, originally called General Hospital of Fort Walton Beach, was opened July 22,1974. Construction had started a little more than two years earlier in May 1972.At that time, the hospital mostly provided labor and delivery, emergency services, general medical care and surgery services.The hospital’s first patient,a Mrs. Robinson, was admitted building has expanded fromat 6:15 a.m. that day. She gave birth to her son. Christopher, about 2V4 hours later.The hospital admitted 43 patients its first day. Fifteen of them were taken to the emergency room.Since then, more than 360,000 patients have been admitted. The physicalA nurse watches as a local artist works on a mural for the opening of General Hospital of Fort Walton Beach.109,457 square feet in 1974 to 302,471 square feet in 2014.“It’s amazing how you look at where we came from, where we are and where we’re going,” said Mitch Mongell, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center's CEO. “We have some great things ahead of us.”During the anniversary celebration. Mongell announced a roughly $ 1.6 million expansion to the hospital’s electrophysiology labs and catheterization labs.He also said the hospital would look at expanding its popular Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.Jeff McGinnis, chairman of the hospital’s board of trustees, thanked not only the current physicians who serve the hospital’s patients, but all the doctors who have worked there throughout its history.He said the hospital is more committed than ever to improving physician, employee and patient satisfaction.“We appreciate so much that our neighbors, our friends and our families have for 40 years entrusted their health care to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center,” McGinnis said. “That means a lot to us and we take that seriously.”
Newspaper Details
Northwest Florida Daily News
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, US
Sun, Jul 27, 2014
Page 15
Full Page
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USA 07 Sep 2019
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