Growing up in Crestview, Roger Hall was infused with a deep sense of service and wanted to make a difference in the dynamic health-care industry.

That drive and compassion eventually earned him the position of CEO of North Okaloosa Medical Center in his hometown. Six years later, the same qualities brought Hall to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast as president during one of the rarest of events in economic development – the birth of a new hospital.

Opened for services on Jan. 27, 2003, Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast was a rarity indeed, filling an important need in the area. “Last year, there were four new hospitals constructed in the United States ,” Hall said. “According to the American Hospital Association, there are only 5,756 registered hospitals in the United States . It is more common to see a hospital close than a brand new one open.”

Hall recently spoke with Emerald Coast Magazine writer Scott Jackson about the community support for the hospital’s creation and other health-care issues.

Characterize the community support in bringing Sacred Heart EC into the area.

The opening was completely driven by the community. Community members reached out to Sacred Heart Health System for access to high-quality, compassionate care after Destin Hospital closed in 1994.

Local residents assisted with the Certificate of Need process, and the Walton County Chamber organized a Purple Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness and support of the $20 million campaign to bring Sacred Heart to our community, which residents and local businesses willingly fulfilled.

The community’s support continues stronger than ever as the public guides us on the creation of future services and provides the moral and financial support necessary to operate a successful hospital.

What do you believe is the key to ensuring that health-care providers can be responsive to the needs of the community?

South Walton, Destin and surrounding areas are a great model of what a community means to health care. The community has supported the hospital every step of the way, and it is an honor and a privilege to serve here.

The quality of health care is always reflective of the quality of leadership in a community, and we are very fortunate.

Rising health-care costs and their effects on the uninsured have become alarming. What are your thoughts on this issue?

It’s very true and very frightening. Sixteen percent of the nation’s gross national product is consumed by health care, which is a significant increase over a few years ago, when it was 12 percent.

The constant growth in technology and information systems expands the choices patients have when it comes to health care. In Walton County alone, the emerging growth of uninsured and underinsured employees is staggering. Only 40 percent of the work force in Walton County has health-care insurance.

The budget for the Agency for Health Care Administration includes funding to protect the quality of health care in the state and ensures that Floridians are empowered to make health-care decisions that best meet their needs.

Do you feel that this budget, as approved for Fiscal Year 2007-2008, meets the needs of residents along the Emerald Coast ?

From a broad, general perspective, yes. On an ongoing basis, no.

As long as we continue to see a majority of our employed population not having health-care insurance, then we will continue to see a tremendous burden on people with insurance.

Uninsured and underinsured employees will cause a number of issues moving forward.

Florida has the second-fastest-growing population of uninsured individuals and families, second only to California .

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Scott Jackson

© 2007 Scott Jackson