HCA Florida Citrus Hospital COO praises EMS after Pine Ridge resuscitation and patient reunion

Marcus Smith, chief operating officer at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, praised emergency medical services and first responders at a hospital appreciation event, recounting a recent on-scene resuscitation that ended with the patient discharged and reunited with the crew.

"We're here to celebrate and appreciate EMS and first responders," Smith said as he introduced himself. He said the event was an opportunity to acknowledge the teams who respond to emergencies in the community.

Smith described his own career background to frame the remarks, saying he worked "almost 5 years" as a school resource officer at Citrus High School and that the experience was among the most meaningful in his career.

He recounted a specific incident involving Pine Ridge Station 20: the crew arrived for a patient in apparent cardiac arrest, gained access to the home, performed resuscitation, provided care during transport and ultimately the patient "was discharged home," Smith said. He added that hospital staff later arranged a patient reunification with the EMS team, and that the family expressed gratitude for the responders.

The comments were given as part of a public appreciation program at the hospital; no formal action, vote or policy change was announced. The event served as recognition for local EMS personnel and highlighted the collaboration between prehospital crews and hospital staff in a successful patient outcome.

The hospital did not provide further operational details, such as the patient92s condition at discharge or the date of the incident. Marcus Smith spoke on behalf of HCA Florida Citrus Hospital during the program.