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HCA Florida Northside Hospital Honors EMS and First Responders with Challenge Coins Inspired by Military Tradition
Richelle Hoenes
Richelle.Hoenes@hcahealthcare.com
(941) 544-0961
HCA Florida Northside Hospital Honors EMS and First Responders with Challenge Coins Inspired by Military Tradition
St. Petersburg, FL – August 18, 2025 – HCA Florida Northside Hospital has launched a heartfelt initiative to recognize first responders and care teams for their extraordinary dedication and lifesaving efforts. The hospital has designed custom challenge coins, to present to those heroes who go above and beyond for patients. Challenge coins date back to World War I and are often used among military, law enforcement and first responders.
“Challenge coins symbolize the deep connection and shared victories of our military units,” said Stephanie Tijerina, Chief Operating Officer at Northside Hospital and Commanding Officer in the United States Navy reserves. “We’re honored to present this coin to our EMS and first responders, as well as our colleagues whose swift, coordinated actions save lives every day.”
Hospital leaders presented the first challenge coins to Sunstar paramedics and Lealman Fire Department emergency crews for their heroic response to a life-threatening emergency in April. Kevyn ‘ZuZu’ Bartlett, 37, thought she was having a migraine, but in fact was suffering from a severe brain bleed.
Thanks to the rapid response of first responders and expert care provided by Northside Hospital’s surgical and intensive care unit teams, ZuZu survived against all odds. She and her fiancé’ returned to the hospital last week for the special coin ceremony, where they had the opportunity to personally thank the team that saved her.
“Everyone deserves to hear, ‘It’s great to see you. It’s good to see you still here,” said ZuZu.
Northside Hospital’s challenge coin was designed by Lindsay Douthitt, the hospital’s stroke coordinator, who is also a U.S. military veteran.
For more information about HCA Florida Northside Hospital and its award-winning stroke care as the first nationally recognized comprehensive stroke center in Pinellas County, go to HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
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About HCA Florida Northside Hospital
HCA Florida Northside Hospital is located in the heart of Pinellas County serving communities around Lealman, Pinellas Park and Kenneth City. It is a 288-bed, full service acute care hospital with more than 1650 physicians and colleagues caring for adults and children of all ages. The hidden gem of healthcare, Northside is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, providing preventive and corrective cardiac care and surgery, 24/7 emergency room services and the latest in minimally invasive and robotic surgery options. The hospital has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals in 2025 and 2024 and was a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence award winner by Healthgrades. It is also recognized as among the Top 10% in the nation for Critical Care and Surgical Care. Additionally, HCA Florida Northside Hospital has earned the Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognitions the American Heart Association. For more information about Northside Hospital and its community initiatives, please visit HCAFloridaNorthsideHospital.com.
