Dr. Lindsey Ferko knew from childhood that she wanted to dedicate her life to easing the suffering of others after watching her grandfather battle a chronic illness.
As she prepared to complete medical school at Auburn University, Ferko also knew where she wanted to build that career: Ocala.
Ocala was the hometown of her college sweetheart, Alex, whom she later married. During her final year of medical school, she arranged clinical rotations at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital so the couple could be together. Today, they are raising two children in the community they call home.
But Ferko’s move quickly became a professional decision as well.
“The more time I spent here, the more I realized this is where I wanted to be,” Ferko said. “Ocala has been such a great place to raise our family because of the great support system we have here, but also because of the city itself—the area, the people, and the team at the hospital. They accommodate me so I can be both a doctor and a mom. That’s not something you find everywhere.”
Ferko’s story reflects a broader trend. As HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has expanded its Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, the combination of outstanding physician training and exceptional quality of life has made Ocala an increasingly attractive destination for young physicians.
Launched in partnership with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in 2015, the hospital’s GME program has grown from a single family medicine residency to 10 residency and fellowship programs that will train 181 physicians this academic year.
Since the program’s inception, 55 of its 206 graduates chose to remain in Marion County, joining HCA Healthcare, other local hospitals, nonprofit providers, and private practices, strengthening access to care for one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities.
“Our graduates choose to stay because they develop strong connections with both the hospital and the community,” said Dr. Chandan Mitra, director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “They receive excellent clinical training, build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and patients, and experience a collaborative culture where they feel supported and valued. At the same time, they discover that Marion County offers an outstanding quality of life that makes it easy to envision building a future here.”
That combination of professional opportunity and community appeal has become a competitive advantage for physician recruitment.
“When our graduates remain in the community, everyone benefits,” Mitra added. “It improves access to care, strengthens continuity for patients, and builds a stable physician workforce that will serve our community for years to come.”
After completing her residency, Ferko joined the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital medical staff in July 2025 as a hospitalist and has no plans to practice anywhere else.
“We found a neighborhood that we love, and we want to raise our kids here long-term,” she said. “We have family nearby, and we don’t have any plans to leave. Ocala is a fantastic place to raise a family. There are wonderful neighborhoods, good schools, lots of activities for kids, and it’s a safe place to live.”
She believes the community offers something for everyone.
“Even if you’re not looking to raise a family, it’s a really nice town to live in. You’re close to major cities without dealing with the rut of those cities. Ocala keeps growing, so you have everything you need, but it still has that small-town feel. It’s the perfect balance.”
As HCA Florida Ocala Hospital continues expanding its physician training programs, the partnership between the hospital and the community is helping attract talented physicians who don’t simply train in Ocala—they choose to build their lives here, bolstering the region’s healthcare workforce and expanding access to care across Marion County.
Bill Thompson is the communications and community engagement manager for HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital.
