Chris Kovacs named new COO of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital

Jacksonville, FL — HCA Florida Memorial Hospital named Chris Kovacs as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Kovacs will relocate from an HCA hospital, Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, GA, and will begin his new role in Jacksonville on August 1, 2024.

“Chris has an extensive operational and leadership background that pairs well with our vision and strategy for the future. We are excited to welcome he and his family back to Florida to join our HCA Florida Healthcare family.”

Kovacs began his career as an Emergency Room registrar at Advent Health in Palm Coast, Florida, where he discovered his passion for healthcare. After graduating from the University of Florida, Kovacs was selected for an executive residency program with HCA Healthcare at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville.

Kovacs served as Vice President of Operations at HCA Florida Fort Walton for two years. In 2022, he was hired as the Chief Operating Officer at Memorial Satilla Health.

While living in Waycross, Kovacs has been actively involved in the local community. He has served on the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority Board and the YMCA Board of Directors. He received the Chamber of Commerce’s Jake Fleming Award for Outstanding Customer Service in 2022.

Kovacs attended the University of North Florida, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in political science with a minor in history. He received his master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Florida.

Kovacs will be relocating from Waycross to Jacksonville with his wife and their three young children. He enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Florida Gators. Kovacs grew up in Gainesville, Florida.