June 26, 2026 – HCA Florida JFK Hospital has been designated a Statutory Teaching Hospital by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), a distinction recognizing the hospital’s more than 30-year legacy of training physicians and advancing academic medicine in Palm Beach County and South Florida.
Under Florida law, the Statutory Teaching Hospital designation is awarded to hospitals that meet rigorous criteria in graduate medical education, physician training, and academic medicine. The designation reflects HCA Florida JFK Hospital’s more than three decades of investment in physician education, faculty development, and clinical excellence.
Since launching its first graduate medical education program in 1994, HCA Florida JFK Hospital, working closely with HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, has steadily expanded its programs. Today, it supports more than 100 residents and fellows across residencies in internal medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, psychiatry, orthopedic surgery, and general surgery, as well as fellowships in advanced heart failure, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease, and hospice and palliative medicine.
“This designation is a tremendous achievement for our hospital, our physicians, our faculty, and our residents and fellows,” said Ken West, chief executive officer of HCA Florida JFK Hospital. “It reflects years of dedication to building a strong culture of education, mentorship, and clinical excellence. Today, our training programs not only prepare exceptional physicians but also strengthen the quality of care we provide to our community every day.”
Teaching hospitals play a vital role in advancing healthcare through research, innovation, partnerships with local and regional medical schools, and the integration of education with high-quality patient care. At HCA Florida JFK Hospital, this approach strengthens the physician workforce, expands access to specialized care, and brings evidence-based practices to patients across Palm Beach County and South Florida.
“As we welcome a new class of residents and fellows, this recognition reinforces our responsibility to provide an exceptional educational experience while prioritizing physician well-being,” said Dr. Kevin King, designated institutional official (DIO) at HCA Florida JFK Hospital. “We are committed to fostering a learning environment where physicians are both challenged and supported, and where they can grow into confident, compassionate clinicians equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community.”
The designation places HCA Florida JFK Hospital among a distinguished group of institutions advancing academic medicine in Florida. Building on a foundation established more than 30 years ago, the hospital is well positioned to expand training opportunities, attract top physician talent, strengthen the regional healthcare workforce, and improve access to high-quality care throughout Palm Beach County and beyond.
About HCA Florida JFK Hospital
Celebrating 60 years of service to Palm Beach County, HCA Florida JFK Hospital is a 516-bed acute care hospital serving Atlantis and the surrounding communities. The hospital offers a broad range of specialized services, including emergency care, heart and vascular care, neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer and breast care, comprehensive stroke services, orthopedic and spine surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, weight loss surgery, inpatient rehabilitation and women’s services. As a Statutory Teaching Hospital, HCA Florida JFK Hospital is committed to advancing healthcare through graduate medical education, clinical research and physician training. Part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the hospital combines decades of experience with innovation and patient-centered care to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.