According to the American Hospital Association, the role hospitals and health systems have played in providing health care to their communities — though vital — is only part of the story. In 2020, hospitals purchased more than $1.1 trillion in goods and services from other businesses. creating additional economic value for the community – a “ripple effect” of sorts – equating to nearly two additional jobs supported by each hospital job. Moreover, every dollar spent by a hospital supports $2.30 of additional business activity.

In Brevard County, Health First is one of the largest employers, with more than 9,500 associates and hundreds of additional loyal and committed volunteers.

But Health First is also a major economic engine in Brevard County – generating an economic impact to the region approaching $900 million in 2022 alone.

A significant part of that encompasses employee salaries – totaling more than $664 million in 2022.  

As the leading non-governmental employer in Brevard County, Health First recognizes the value all our associates provide, and in 2021, Health First did so in a tangible way by increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour across the organization.

Health First’s commitment to its associates and community has not gone unnoticed. In fact, for the second straight year Health First was named among “America’s Best Large Employers” for 2023 by Forbes. Jumping nearly 250 spots – from 407 to 159 – Health First was one of only three hospitals or healthcare systems in Florida named to the list and one of only 35 hospital or healthcare systems nationally named to the list. Additionally, Health First is one of only 18 Florida-based companies named to the list.

By The Numbers:

• Total impact (in 2022): $869 million
• Salaries: $664 million
• Capital improvements: $82 million
• Local purchases: $82 million
• Charity care: $56 million
• Sponsorship, grants and partnerships: $706,000

READ the full story in Brevard Business News HERE.