Throughout its history, Health First has lead the way in bringing the latest advances in health care to our community. Some of our major milestones include:

September 2004: Health First VitalWatch, our centralized, 24/7 critical care monitoring system began operating in intensive care units at Palm Bay Community Hospital, Cape Canaveral Hospital, and Holmes Regional Medical Center.

August 2004: Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for all diagnostic imaging services within Health First to go online.

March 2004: Holmes Regional Medical Center breaks ground for $115 million campus expansion

January 2004: HRMC listed in Money magazine as one of "America's Top Hospitals" for interventional cardiology and stroke care

November 2003: Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce names Health First Health Plans Business of the Year

October 2003: Health First Clinical Research Institute begins operations to coordinate research trials and studies in the Health First system

November 2002: Health First's administrative services and Health First Health Plans division move into new office building in Rockledge

September 2002: Cape Canaveral Hospital's cancer care program affiliates with University of Florida (UF)/Shands HealthCare

October 2001: Health First implements paperless clinical information systems, including electronic patient medical records, physician orders, and test results

June 2000: Holmes Regional Medical Center named a "Top 100 Heart Hospital" by HCIA-Sachs for the second year in a row

May 2000: Holmes Regional Trauma Center opens as an affiliate of the University of Florida Health Science Center - Jacksonville

August 2000: Cape Canaveral Hospital designated a "Baby-Friendly™ Hospital" and birth facility by UNICEF/World Health Organization

June 2000: First Flight receives a new air ambulance helicopter capable of transporting two patients at a time

1996: 90,000-square-foot Health First Healthplex opens on Merritt Island featuring Pro-Health & Fitness Center, Health First Physicians offices, and diagnostic and rehabilitation services

1996: Health First Heart Institute launched as an affiliate of the University of Florida's College of Medicine

1996: Health First Health Plans created to offer HMO plans in Brevard

1995: Health First Physicians medical group formed with primary care physicians throughout Brevard

1995: Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, and Palm Bay Community Hospital joined together to create Health First