OCALA, FL (352today.com) – HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital were recognized by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on May 6 in honor of National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week.

The proclamation was presented at the commission’s regular meeting and aligns with National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6–12, and National Hospital Week, which runs this year from May 11–17. These observances honor the contributions of healthcare professionals and coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

“Our hospitals are extremely important,” said Marion County Commission Chairwoman Kathy Bryant. “We’re very, very fortunate in Marion County to have the two systems that we have, especially with HCA Florida Ocala Hospital having the trauma center that they have and that we all worked so tirelessly to make sure that came to fruition. We appreciate your presence in our community and everything that you do, not just when it comes to healthcare but for the jobs that you provide as well.”

Alan Keesee, CEO of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, emphasized the importance of recognizing all hospital workers, noting that nearly half of hospital staff nationwide are in non-clinical roles.

“It takes a whole village — including amazing nurses and amazing physicians — to care for our community,” Keesee said. “We just want to say thank you to all the healthcare workers out there and all the students who are aspiring to go into healthcare who are supported by our great school system.”

According to the Florida Hospital Association, Florida hospitals contribute $178 billion in annual economic impact and employ more than 322,000 people. HCA Florida Healthcare ranks as Marion County’s third-largest employer and second-largest individual property taxpayer.

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