September 24, 2024 – HCA Florida Healthcare and the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine jointly announced today a new program to train more doctors in fighting cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the state.
Through the UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium, the partners have launched their first Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship. The ACGME-accredited program will be located at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and is seeking applicants for the first cohort to begin training in July 2025. Physicians accepted into the program will spend three years learning the latest techniques to prevent, diagnose, and manage cardiovascular diseases.
“The addition of the cardiology graduate medical education program expands our partnership through the UCF College of Medicine/HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium and continues to support the next generation of physicians in a range of much-needed specialties,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “The cardiologists of the future will be training right here in Marion County, learning at one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals™. Through a broad range of clinical experience and academic support services such as research and curriculum development, we hope to inspire our residents’ passion to care for and improve human life.”
Dr. Stephen Cico, associate dean for graduate medical education at UCF, added, “We are excited for this fellowship that will train doctors in the critical area of cardiovascular disease as we help address the state’s healthcare needs.”
With the new program, the UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium has 40 residency programs and fellowships across the state, making it one of the fastest growing in Florida.
Leading the program at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is Dr. Rakesh Prashad, a professor and clinical researcher at UCF who is board-certified in Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Endovascular Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology and Internal Medicine.
“We are committed to training the next generation of cardiologists who will lead the charge in improving cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Prashad. “Our team of board-certified faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a diverse patient population will ensure a comprehensive and rewarding educational experience for all fellows.”
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital currently train 165 residents across eight specialties, including Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery, Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, and Transitional Year Residency. The new program will accept three fellows per year for a total of nine accredited positions.
About HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is a 323-bed facility located in the heart of Ocala and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital is a 222-bed hospital located in west Marion County. The system also includes HCA Florida Foxwood ER, a freestanding emergency department located on Highway 27 on the southwest side of Ocala, HCA Florida Silver Springs ER, a freestanding emergency department located on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, HCA Florida Summerfield ER, a freestanding emergency department located in southern Marion County, HCA Florida Maricamp ER, a freestanding emergency department located on Maricamp Road in Ocala, and HCA Florida Trailwinds Village ER, a freestanding emergency department located in Sumter County. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS COT), the highest possible designation. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is also a Level II Trauma Center verified by the State of Florida and a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The hospitals offer a host of other quality and award-winning services including orthopedic care and joint replacement, robotic surgery, cardiac and vascular services including open heart surgery and interventional procedures, emergency, neurological and rehabilitation services, and bariatric surgery. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has the only Commission on Cancer approved cancer center in Marion County. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital’s outpatient facilities include Family Care Specialists, a primary care network of six locations throughout Marion County; HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Imaging Center; a freestanding Wound and Hyperbaric Center; and three surgical and physician specialty practices.
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. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues working together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 11.6 million patient encounters each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provides more than $903 million in uncompensated care and contributes nearly $2.2 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly-trained specialists, including the state’s largest cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
About UCF College of Medicine
The UCF College of Medicine is the academic cornerstone of Orlando’s emerging Medical City at Lake Nona, located just minutes from one of the world’s most visited airports. Founded in 2006 to expand Central Florida’s economic development, UCF’s young, research-based medical school has a growing national reputation for its innovation, partnership and a pioneering spirit. Based on its success, UCF created an Academic Health Sciences Center that now includes a partnership teaching hospital, cancer center and in 2025 will add the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion next door to the medical school.