Okaloosa County, FL, is Committed to Community
Physicians love living and working in Okaloosa County.
Okaloosa County, FL, is home to brilliant blue skies, the Gulf of Mexico’s emerald-green waters, sparkling sunshine and sugar-soft sandy beaches. The welcoming community is just what the doctor ordered. But when the need arises to see a physician or seek hospital care, locals and visitors can be assured the region has leading medical centers. While there are a variety of health professionals in different specialties in the area, two of them took time to share a little about themselves and why they love practicing medicine in the place they call home.
It continues to make his day when Dr. Eliyahu Hemo witnesses the amazing transformation his patients experience after their surgery.
“They often describe it as being given freedom from being locked in a prison,” he says.
The Israel native is part of the North Okaloosa Physician Group, director of bariatric surgery at the North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, as well as a general, minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon. Known as Eli by friends and family, his practice is in Crestview. He served in the Israeli military before graduating from the Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine and is a fervent advocate of patient education.
“I try to use every opportunity to educate about obesity and available treatment options. Eating whole, unprocessed foods, exercising four times a week and sleeping well are important wellness tips,” he says. “Also, I am involved in expanding health care insurance for bariatric coverage and providing patients with more options to treat this disease.”
Hemo, his wife, Roni, and their two daughters call Niceville home.
“My family and I love this area and the military community. We find a lot in common with other people who serve and defend their country,” he says. “Being in Florida is like living in an ongoing vacation. I would strongly recommend this area to any medical professional.”
Family of Doctors
Growing up in an Air Force family, Dr. John C. Dali had many addresses, but it was Fort Walton Beach where his father, a surgeon, retired from the military and was in private practice for many years.
“I moved most of my youth until we finally transferred to Eglin Air Force Base when I was a sophomore,” Dali says. “After finishing my education, I moved to Fort Walton Beach in 2001 and have never left.”
The younger Dali, a general and vascular surgeon at White-Wilson Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach, earned his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed a surgical residency in Manhattan. After returning to the area, he says he was fortunate enough to practice surgery with his father for six years.
During the day when he is not caring for patients, the surgeon serves as president of White-Wilson’s Board of Directors. He and his wife, Kellee, whom he met in Fort Walton Beach, are parents of two teenagers. After hours, Dali is an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 529 with his son.
“We are fortunate to participate in multiple service projects involving our veterans, local churches and environmental conservation,” he says. “It’s a wonderful place to work and raise a family. We really have a great community of people in this area.”
Healing Hands, Inspired Minds
Helping prepare individuals to succeed in the health care industry is Okaloosa Technical College. Located in Fort Walton Beach, the college is recognized as a leader for its role in transforming lives through quality postsecondary education and, most importantly, setting people on a path to professional success.
“Okaloosa Technical College provides students with a hands-on approach to develop the direct skills needed to succeed in our local industries,” says John Williams, director of Okaloosa Technical College. “Perhaps the best example of this type of training can be seen in our licensed practical nursing program. Our graduates are proud to become licensed and hired locally to serve the health care needs of our community.”
The college has an ongoing partnership with HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, where students can learn, train and become employees of the facility.
Caroline Stewart, chief nursing officer at the Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, is pleased to be an industry partner with the college.
“Ensuring the care and improvement of human life is our top priority, and this partnership allows us to help students develop their skills in health care, so they can join the HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital family and contribute to the health and well-being of our community,” Stewart says.
Ashley Michaels, Okaloosa Technical College practical nursing graduate, is an excellent example of the school’s goal to make students successful.
“The Okaloosa Technical College nurse instructional staff provided the knowledge I will need to succeed,” Michaels says.
Get to Know Okaloosa County, FL
Want to learn more about living and working in Okaloosa County, FL? Check out the latest edition of Livability Okaloosa County, Greater Fort Walton Beach Area, FL.