<p>HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital — the region's only Level II Trauma Center — is recruiting a board-certified or board-eligible Anesthesiologist to join an established care team model on Florida's Emerald Coast. This is a "Nighthawk" anesthesiology opportunity with a compelling 1-week-on / 1-week-off schedule, a high-acuity surgical program spanning cardiac, trauma, OB, and neurosurgery, and a start-date bonus of up to $125,000 for cardiac-capable candidates.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>Start-date bonus of up to $125,000 for candidates with cardiac anesthesia capability</li> <li>Competitive base compensation package</li> <li>Health, dental, and vision insurance</li> <li>CME allowance</li> <li>Fidelity 401(k) retirement plan</li> <li>Paid professional liability insurance with tail coverage</li> <li>Florida has no state income tax, providing a meaningful take-home pay advantage</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>1-week-on / 1-week-off ("Nighthawk") schedule — structured, predictable time away from practice</li> <li>Care team model composed of 9 anesthesiologists and 25 APPs</li> <li>24-hour in-house OB CRNA coverage supporting around-the-clock obstetric anesthesia</li> <li>Broad case mix: trauma, orthopedic/spine, general surgery, vascular, GYN, urology, OB, GI, and cath lab</li> <li>Robust cardiothoracic surgical program with a dedicated cardiovascular OR team and a highly regarded open-heart program</li> <li>Accredited Chest Pain Center with full-spectrum cardiac services</li> <li>330-bed full-service acute care facility — the region's only Level II Trauma Center</li> <li>State-of-the-art operating rooms including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgery capability, plus a specialized surgical recovery unit</li> <li>Neurosurgery program on-site</li> <li>Additional service lines: cardiovascular ICU, neonatal ICU, Primary Stroke Center, inpatient rehabilitation, behavioral health, and a comprehensive emergency department with main, pediatric, and express ER tracks</li> <li>Regional referral catchment serving the Emerald Coast and surrounding tri-county area of Northwest Florida</li> </ul>
<h3>Qualifications</h3> <ul> <li>Board certification or board eligibility in Anesthesiology (American Board of Anesthesiology)</li> <li>Completion of an ACGME-accredited Anesthesiology residency</li> <li>Cardiac anesthesia capability strongly preferred and directly tied to the maximum start-date bonus</li> <li>Active Florida medical license or eligibility to obtain</li> <li>Comfort with high-acuity, multi-specialty case mix including trauma, OB, and complex surgical procedures</li> </ul>
<h3>About the Community</h3> <p>Fort Walton Beach sits along Florida's Emerald Coast, where sugar-white sand beaches and clear Gulf waters define everyday life — with year-round access to swimming, fishing, kayaking, boating, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The area is consistently recognized as family-friendly, with top-rated schools, a low cost of living relative to other Florida coastal markets, and the added financial benefit of no state income tax. The local economy is anchored by a strong defense presence — Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field are nearby — alongside growing tourism and technology sectors, and the cultural calendar includes events like the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and a thriving farmers market scene.</p>