SEBRING, Fla., December 29, 2023 – This holiday season, the Grinch made a special visit back to HCA Florida Highlands Hospital – where they were once a patient – and delivered candy canes to colleagues.
Four years ago, the Grinch (whose identity will be kept secret as requested) spent 110 days in four different hospitals. “My first hospital was unsatisfactory, so when I had the chance, I told my mom to take me to Highlands. When I arrived, I found out I had necrotizing pancreatitis, had become septic, and had pneumonia. The team at Highlands understood the severity of my condition and was responsible for stabilizing me,” said the Grinch.
The Grinch credits their nurses Jesenia and Kevin, as well as Drs. Thakkar and Patel, and the rest of the nurses that cared for them for saving their life. “They made lasting impressions through their compassionate care.”
‘The Grinch’ started appearing during the pandemic as a joke, but eventually turned it into a way they could give back to the community. They have visited hospitals, nursing homes, youth organizations, the Sheriff’s office, and parades. “Highlands will always hold a special place in my heart, and I love that I get to visit them in this way,” said the Grinch.
About HCA Florida Highlands Hospital
HCA Florida Highlands Hospital is a 126-bed acute care facility accredited by The Joint Commission. Key services include orthopedic and spine care, urology, cardiac catheterization, and vascular, gynecological and minimally-invasive surgeries. Additionally, the facility is also home to the area’s only dedicated senior emergency room. Proudly serving the Sebring community since 1965, Highlands Hospital aims to provide high-quality, exceptional patient 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 and freestanding emergency rooms. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to deliver advanced, collaborative care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provided $848.8 million in uncompensated care and invested significantly in innovative technologies and facilities across Florida, including the new $360 million state-of-the-art, multi-specialty HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, Fla. 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.
