April 1, 2026 – HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Masmela as its new chief executive officer, effective March 30, 2026. Masmela brings to this role a proven record of leadership as well as significant clinical and operational growth.
Masmela most recently served as chief operating officer (COO) of HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. In this role, he led a 67-bed expansion that included five Level III NICU beds, 30 adult ICU beds and 32 medical/surgical beds, along with the addition of a new hybrid operating room, significantly enhancing access to advanced, high-acuity care across the Treasure Coast.
“Alex brings a thoughtful, disciplined and mission-driven approach to leadership,” said Charles Gressle, president of HCA Healthcare’s East Florida Division, “We are confident he will build on Raulerson’s strong foundation and continue advancing high-quality, compassionate care for the Okeechobee community.”
Masmela holds bachelor’s degrees in sociology and nursing and earned an Executive MBA from Florida Atlantic University. Alex is also a graduate of the HCA Chief Leadership Program, Class of 2025, reflecting his ongoing commitment to leadership development and organizational excellence.
About HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital
HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital is a 100-bed acute care facility accredited by The Joint Commission. Key services we offer include emergency care, orthopedics, gastroenterology and critical care. We also specialize in surgery, radiology and physical, occupational and speech therapy. Proudly serving the Okeechobee community since 1979, HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital aims to provide quality, patient-centered care.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
