May 21, 2026 – The School District of Palm Beach County has recognized West Boca Medical Center with a Silver Level Business Partner Award for its ongoing commitment to students and staff at West Boca Raton Community High School.
The annual awards program honors business partners who demonstrate exceptional service and investment in local schools by contributing time, talent and resources that help enhance the educational experience for students, families and educators throughout Palm Beach County.
West Boca Medical Center was nominated in the Health Services category for its continued partnership with West Boca Raton Community High School and its support of students interested in healthcare careers.
Through the partnership, students have the opportunity to earn school credit while gaining firsthand exposure to hospital operations and patient care. Students assist in a variety of roles throughout the hospital, allowing them to better understand the healthcare field and explore future career opportunities in medicine and patient services.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the School District of Palm Beach County,” said Jerad Hanlon, CEO of West Boca Medical Center. “Investing in students and helping inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals is something we are deeply passionate about. These experiences provide students with valuable real-world exposure to healthcare, while also helping us build strong relationships within our community.”
Hanlon added that several former West Boca Raton Community High School students who participated in the program have since returned to West Boca Medical Center as employees after graduating.
“It is especially rewarding to see students who once shadowed and learned inside our hospital now working alongside our teams caring for patients,” Hanlon said. “That speaks to the strength of this partnership and the impact these experiences can have on young people considering careers in healthcare.”
West Boca Medical Center is part of the Palm Beach Health Network, the largest healthcare network in Palm Beach County, and remains committed to supporting educational opportunities and workforce development initiatives throughout the community.
About West Boca Medical Center (WBMC)
The hospital is part of the Palm Beach Health Network and has been serving southern Palm Beach and northern Broward counties for more than 40 years. WBMC offers general medical and surgical care, orthopedics, a robotic surgery program, a state-of-the art breast imaging center, women’s and children’s services and the only level III NICU in southern Palm Beach County. Its two emergency centers, one at the main hospital and the other in Coconut Creek, are open 24-hours a day.
For more information about West Boca Medical Center, its many Quality Awards or for a physician referral, call 866-904-WBMC (9262) or visit the website at www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.
