Physician Leader Wanted: Chief of Emergency Medicine in Florida

Lead the Emergency Department at a Growing Community Hospital

This Chief of Emergency Medicine opportunity at HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital offers the chance to combine hands-on clinical practice with departmental leadership in a facility that is investing heavily in its future.

As Chief, you'll oversee an emergency department that manages approximately 30,000 annual patient visits and serves as a critical access point for residents throughout Okeechobee County and the surrounding rural communities. The role is ideal for a physician who enjoys leading teams, driving quality initiatives, mentoring colleagues, and shaping operational strategy while maintaining a clinical presence.

Why This Leadership Opportunity Stands Out

• Lead a well-established Emergency Medicine program with strong physician and APP coverage.
• Influence department operations during a significant multi-million-dollar emergency department expansion, scheduled to begin in Spring 2026.
• Partner with hospital administration on quality, patient safety, throughput, staffing, and growth initiatives.
• Opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing team of physicians and advanced practice providers.
• Supportive HCA Florida Healthcare network resources and leadership infrastructure.

Emergency Department Overview

The ED is designed to provide efficient, high-quality care with strong physician support:

• 30,000 annual emergency visits
• 14 treatment beds
• 3 fast-track beds
• 2 dedicated trauma rooms
• 20% admission rate
• 24 hours of physician coverage daily
• 24 hours of APP coverage daily

The upcoming expansion will add:

• 11 additional treatment bays
• 2 behavioral health safe rooms
• Dedicated physician workspace
• Enhanced patient flow and operational capacity

Strong Clinical Support Network

Although Raulerson Hospital is a community hospital, physicians benefit from extensive support through HCA Florida's statewide network.

The hospital has active transfer relationships for higher-acuity services including:

• Trauma
• Neurosurgery
• Vascular Surgery
• High-risk Obstetrics
• Pediatric specialty care

In addition, physicians have 24/7 access to HCA Florida Healthcare Patient Transfer Centers, helping ensure timely placement of patients requiring tertiary or quaternary care.

About HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital

Raulerson Hospital is a 100-bed acute care facility that has served Okeechobee and surrounding communities for decades. The hospital provides a broad range of medical, surgical, and emergency services, allowing emergency physicians to practice across a diverse spectrum of patient presentations.

Key hospital services include:

• Intensive Care Unit
• Robotic Surgery
• Orthopedics
• Gastroenterology
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Women's Services
• Neurological Care
• Imaging and Diagnostic Services
• Wound Care
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Occupational Medicine

Quality and Recognition

The hospital has been recognized for its commitment to clinical quality and patient safety, including:

• Primary Stroke Center designation
• Recognition as a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures
• Named among the Top 5% of hospitals nationally for patient safety through Healthgrades for multiple consecutive years

These accolades reflect a culture focused on clinical excellence and quality improvement, making it an attractive environment for a physician leader.

Ideal Candidate Profile

This position is particularly appealing for:

• Experienced Emergency Medicine physicians seeking their first medical director/chief role.
• Current ED leaders looking for greater autonomy and influence.
• Physicians who enjoy community-based medicine and developing strong relationships with hospital leadership.
• Candidates interested in helping guide departmental expansion and future growth.

For a recruiter, one of the most compelling messages to candidates is that this is not simply a staffing leadership role. It is an opportunity to shape the future of emergency care at a growing hospital while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of South-Central Florida and the resources of the nation's largest healthcare network.