Health First and Brevard Public Schools Celebrate Community Partnership, Highlight Synergies

Health First President and CEO Terry Forde announced a financial commitment of $280,000 during the event

Health First presented a check for $280,000 during Tuesday’s Board Meeting, supports student and workforce development in Brevard County.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA—Health First leaders, including President & CEO Terry Forde, joined Brevard Public Schools officials during the BPS public board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, to celebrate the community partnership and synergy between the two organizations.

Forde announced a financial commitment of $280,000 during the event – representing the support Health First has provided the school system over the 2024-2025 school year, including wellness resources and educational/career training opportunities.

Health First and Brevard Public Schools are the two largest employers on the Space Coast.

Two successful career readiness programs—the B.L.A.S.T. Program (Brevard Learners Achieving Successful Transition) and the CTE Program (Career & Technical Education)—were also recognized, with a student representative from each program discussing their successful participation.

The B.L.A.S.T. Program is designed to meet the needs of Exceptional Education Students who are 18-22 years old. The B.L.A.S.T. program focuses directly on transition opportunities and post-secondary goals of students who have deferred their diploma.

Brevard County Public Schools’ Career & Technical Education Program (CTE) is a BPS program geared toward enhancing educational opportunities and workforce readiness for students at the Middle and High School levels.

“Together, we share a responsibility to prepare the next generation for meaningful careers—and that’s exactly what this partnership does,” said Forde.

“At Health First, we believe that a strong community is a healthy community. When students have opportunities, career pathways, and support, they are empowered, engaged, and better prepared for the future.

“This check is more than a donation – it’s an investment in our students, our workforce, and, most importantly – our community. This year, Health First celebrates 30 years of serving Brevard County. Just as we are investing in the future of healthcare – with projects like our new Cape Canaveral Hospital—we are also investing in the next generation of Brevard’s workforce. And we are proud to stand alongside Brevard Public Schools in building a stronger, healthier community,” Forde continued.

Health First is a not-for-profit community health system serving Brevard County, Florida, since its establishment in 1995. As the county’s largest private employer, with approximately 9,500 employees, Health First is dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.

The system operates four hospitals:

■ Cape Canaveral Hospital: Located in Cocoa Beach, this facility has been recognized on Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Hospitals for four consecutive years as of 2024.

■ Holmes Regional Medical Center: Situated in Melbourne, it is a 514-bed facility housing Brevard County’s only Level II Trauma Center and Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

■ Palm Bay Hospital: Located in Palm Bay, this 152-bed hospital includes a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit.

■ Viera Hospital: Opened in 2011 in Viera, this hospital features 100 beds and a comprehensive medical plaza offering diagnostic tests, outpatient pharmacy services, and multiple provider offices.

Beyond hospital care, Health First encompasses Health First Health Plans, offering a variety of health insurance options across Central Florida, and Health First Medical Group, the region’s oldest and largest multi-specialty physician group with expertise in over 50 specialties.

Health First is committed to delivering advanced healthcare services, including outpatient and wellness programs, fitness centers, home care, hospice care, aging services, and family pharmacies. In 2024, the organization expanded its facilities by breaking ground on a new 14-acre location for Cape Canaveral Hospital and Medical Office Building on Merritt Island.

For more information about Health First’s services and facilities, visit their official website at hf.org.

To learn more about Health First Health Plans, you can watch the following video:

Similar Stories