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Bascom, FL · Health

Panama City News Herald

partner publisher · 10.1K followers

A growing Bay County deserves more choices in compassionate care | Guest column

Bay County’s remarkable growth has brought new neighborhoods, businesses and opportunities. But as our population grows and ages, more families will face serious illness, care for aging parents and make difficult health care decisions. A community’s strength is measured not only by how it welcomes new residents, but also by how it supports people during life’s most vulnerable moments. That's why conversations about hospice, and access to it, matter. Hospice remains one of the most misunderstood parts of healthcare. Too often, people believe choosing hospice means giving up hope. In reality, hospice offers a different kind of hope: comfort, dignity and meaningful time with family. One of the things I hear most often from families is not that they called hospice too early — but that they wish they had called sooner. As Bay County continues to grow, families deserve access to high-quality hospice care and meaningful choices in who provides it. Every organization brings a different philosophy and set of resources. For many families, having a nonprofit option matters because it means the mission is centered on patients, not shareholders. For nearly 45 years, Big Bend Hospice has served North Florida from its roots in Tallahassee as a community-based

Bay County, FL · 09-06

emeraldcoastmagazine.com

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Five Northwest Florida Dermatologists Named Top Physicians for 2026

For two decades, Dermatology Specialists of Florida has been the trusted name families across the Emerald Coast turn to for their skin, from routine checkups to complex surgical care. This year, that trust has been recognized on a new level: four of the practice’s physicians have been voted Top Physicians in Dermatology for the Emerald Coast region, and a fifth earned the same distinction in Tallahassee, through a peer review survey conducted by Professional Research Services.

Florida · 09-01

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Old Lisenby Hospital to become work-life style units

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – For years, Lisenby Hospital sat right on West 11th Street, largely untouched. What was once a hospital, then a retirement home is currently being remodeled into what is called work-life style units. Four brothers from Tennessee obtained the property from their late father, who bought it in 2021. They stated […]

Bay County, FL · 08-24

Panama City News Herald

partner publisher · 10.1K followers

New rehab unit aims to fill Bay County bed shortage

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay in Panama City is undergoing a remodel that will add 18 beds for a new inpatient rehabilitation unit, expanding the hospital's capacity to serve patients recovering from strokes, heart and orthopedic surgeries, spinal procedures, traumatic brain injuries and other medical conditions that leave them unable to safely return home right away. "(Panama City) is missing rehabilitation beds," Robin Godwin, president and CEO of the hospital, told reporters on Aug. 24 about the growing need in Bay County. "This (addition) represents a vital piece of continuity of care for patients in our community." The $11 million undertaking is also expected to create 50 new health care jobs, helping expand access to care in the area, and is scheduled for completion next spring. Job postings will be placed later this fall, Godwin said. To see more photos from the project, visit newsherald.com This article originally appeared on The News Herald: New rehab unit aims to fill Bay County bed shortage

Panama City, FL · 08-28

qualitycities.com

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USDA-Funded Health Clinic Opens in Paxton

The Town of Paxton has completed construction of a new permanent health clinic, giving residents in the northernmost part of Walton County access to modern healthcare facilities close to home for the first time in years. The project was made possible by a $679,500 grant from USDA Rural Development’s Community...

Paxton, FL · 08-25

WJHG-TV

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Ascension Sacred Heart Bay to open new inpatient rehab facility

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Ascension Sacred Heart Bay will offer inpatient rehabilitation care on its campus for the first time. The hospital is in the early stages of an $11 million project that started construction last Monday. The new facility will have 18 beds. Hospital leaders said the community’s growth...

Panama City, FL · 08-25

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay begins 18-bed rehab expansion for Spring 2027

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – There will soon be more help for patients recovering from major health problems. Ascension Sacred Heart Bay is beginning construction on a new 18-bed rehabilitation unit. For some patients, intensive physical, occupational or speech therapy is still needed before they can go back home. ” And so when we look […]

Bay County, FL · 08-24

NewsRadio WFLA

partner publisher · 69.0K followers

Florida Reports Third 2026 Death From Vibrio Vulnificus Bacteria

Florida has recorded its third death of 2026 linked to Vibrio vulnificus, with 17 infections reported statewide this year.

Florida · 08-24

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay reaches a major milestone

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Watchman device is a mesh plug placed in one of the heart’s chambers. For those with Atrial Fibrillation, or AFIB, it lowers their stroke risk without the need for blood thinners. Friday morning, Ascension Sacred Heart Bay performed their 500th Watchman procedure. “That’s a big number. And our program […]

Bay County, FL · 08-21

WJHG-TV

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New medical technology headed to rural Panhandle communities thanks to $2.8 million rural healthcare grant

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - More life-saving medical services are on the way to rural communities across the Panhandle. Ascension Sacred Heart Health System will receive a more than $2.8 million grant through Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program. They are working to save lives in rural areas with a...

Walton County, FL · 08-20

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

HCA Florida Gulf Coast expanding facilities

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital is expanding some of the facilities on the main Panama City campus. “Obviously, the community around us has grown over the last several years and looking to the future and HCA of course being a leading provider of health care in the area,” CEO Chase […]

Panama City, FL · 08-19

Palm Beach Daily News

partner publisher · 52.8K followers

Florida reports 3rd Vibrio vulnificus death in latest update

The Florida Department of Health has reported its third Vibrio vulnificus death of the year in its latest weekly update on Aug. 20. Broward County also reported its first case in 2026, bringing the state total to 17 cases of the rare but potentially fatal infection that people can catch from eating raw oysters or swimming in brackish water where seawater and freshwater mix. The victim in Bay County was between 55 and 59 years of age, state health data shows, while the Broward victim is between 75 and 79, health data shows. Vibrio vulnificus infections are extremely rare, but can turn life-threatening within hours. Victims may need emergency surgery — and in some cases swift amputation — to survive. Florida recorded 33 cases and five deaths in 2025. Louisiana has reported 12 cases and five deaths this year as of Aug. 19, all from wound/sewater exposure. In Alabama, the Mobile County Health Department has reported 10 cases of vibriosis this year. The Mississippi Department of Health has reported 3. Where Florida cases have been reported According to Florida Department of Health data through Aug. 15, cases have been reported in: Cases : Bay County: 2 (+1) Brevard: 1 Broward:

Florida · 08-20

getthecoast.com

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Ascension Sacred Heart awarded $2.8 million to expand rural health care

Ascension Sacred Heart Health System has been awarded more than $2.8 million to expand access to health care in rural communities, part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement of nearly $188 million through Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The largest share of the funding, $2.4 million, will support a...

Okaloosa County, FL · 08-18

WJHG-TV

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Bay County adds ambulances to help cut response times

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Bay County Fire Rescue is adding new ambulances, fire trucks, and fire stations as the department works to keep up with an average of 100 calls a day. Until May, Bay County Fire Rescue had eight transport ambulances in service countywide. The department added two...

Bay County, FL · 08-18

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

New ambulances boost Bay County Emergency Services life support capacity

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County Emergency Services has some new additions that will significantly increase its ability to serve the community. Bay County EMS has two shiny and new transports in its fleet. The new wheels support the department’s dual-CERT setup, meaning they can be used to fight fire and provide advanced life […]

Bay County, FL · 08-17

WJHG-TV

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Rural health funding headed to Calhoun Liberty Hospital

CALHOUN COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Several local hospitals are set to receive funds from Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program. One hospital getting millions is Calhoun Liberty Hospital. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) administers the money for the awards. “The rural health care transformation program grants are a...

Calhoun County, FL · 08-14

WJHG-TV

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Sacred Heart Gulf Hospital Welcomes First-Ever Class of Medical Residents

GULF COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A major milestone for healthcare in the Florida Panhandle is officially underway as resident physicians begin clinical rotations at Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf Hospital for the very first time. The hospital launched its first-ever residency program. The initiative brings hands-on family medicine training directly into...

Gulf County, FL · 08-13

wtvy.com

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‘The difference between life and death’: Florida Panhandle county puts blood on ambulances for rural patients

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTVY) - For residents in rural parts of the Florida Panhandle, the nearest surgeon can be 70 miles away. Jackson County Fire Rescue Chief Charlie Brunner said that reality drove him to act — and the program he built nearly two years ago is now being adopted by nine additional counties.

Jackson County, FL · 08-12

hwy331.com

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Life Enrichment Senior Center in DeFuniak Springs Is Building Community for Local Seniors

More than a place for activities, the Life Enrichment Senior Center is helping older adults in DeFuniak Springs stay active, connected and engaged in the community they call home. For some people, walking through the doors of a senior center is simply a way to find something to do. For...

Defuniak Springs, FL · 08-13

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Ascension Sacred Heart physicians complete their first round of clinical rotations

PORT ST. JOE, Fla. (WMBB) – The first round of Resident physicians at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Medicine are completing their clinical rotations in the residency program at the Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, and Apalachicola clinics. “It’s humbling to train the next generation of doctors and really the intention of our residency is […]

Wewahitchka, FL · 08-12

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