Our history.

March 2025: First Flight adds a second aircraft to ensure even faster access to specialized care at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Brevard County’s only Level II Trauma Center.

 June 2025: Transitioned to the Epic electronic health record system, including the patient portal, MyChart, to create a seamless, connected care experience.

August 2024: The Birth Suites at Viera Hospital and our new Health First Medical Group OBGYN office on Vidina Drive opens.

June 2024: Health First Medical Group opens a new office in Rockledge to expand care.

April 2024: Health First Medical Group opens a new beachside office in Indian Harbour Beach to expand care.

March 21, 2024 (321 Day): Officially broke ground on our new Cape Canaveral Hospital in Merritt Island. 

October 2024: Health First Health Plans expanded to 8 additional Florida counties: Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Volusia, Lake, Orange, and Seminole

May 2023: Health First Medical Group is awarded the Governor's Sterling award - making them the first medical group to ever receive this honor. 

April 2022: Health First Medical Group acquires The B.A.C.K. Center and Crane Creek Surgery Center to better serve Brevard Community Members.

March 2020: Virtual Visits, online scheduling, and mobile check-ins were established to create an easy, friction-free experience for our customers. 

September 2019: Health First partners with Privia Health, a national physician organization of more than 2,300 providers, to elevate the patient-provider relationship and transform the healthcare experience.  This partnership allows for a seamless integration with other providers outside of Health First Medical Group under one management services organization (MSO).  

June 2019: Health First expands partnership with AdventHealth, improving the tools and technology provided while also creating a system of high-quality, convenient care, stretching from the Space Coast to the Gulf Coast. 

November 2017: Robotic surgery is expanded to Health First's Palm Bay Hospital with the addition of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System that features smaller incisions and shorter recovery times for patients.

September 2017: Health First Health Plans launches Florida Hospital Care Advantage Individual and Medicare plans in Seminole County.

July 2017: The Hybrid Operating Room (OR) opens at Health First's Holmes Regional Medical Center, offering state-of-the-art technology for patients and giving physicians the capability to provide complex,  minimally invasive surgeries.

June 2017: Health First's Palm Bay Hospital introduces MAKOplasty, a highly advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arm that enables the accurate alignment and positioning of joint implants. The robotic procedure can be used for anterior, posterior hip, and partial knee resurfacing and utilizes smaller incisions with greater precision, less pain, increased joint flexibility, and shorter recovery times.

May 2016: The Health First Breast Center opens at the Health First Medical Group Gateway location offering state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic mammography, 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, breast biopsy, and pre-surgical procedures.

March 2016: Royal Oaks Medical Center joins Health First Medical Group with locations in Port St. John and Titusville.

September 2015: Health First and Space Coast Cancer Centers join together to create Health First Cancer Institute.

January 2015: Health First introduces 3D Mammography to Brevard County. Health First Diagnostic Centers are the first to gain this advanced screening technology.

December 2013: Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center Heart & Vascular Services opens Valve Clinic, the first of its kind in Brevard County. The Valve Clinic provides a comprehensive and team approach that includes a variety of medical experts who come up with individualized treatment options to ensure all patients receive the right care at the right place and at the right time.

May 2013: Health First Health Plans earns 4.5 out of 5 stars, making the local plan among the best in the nation and the highest-rated plan available to residents in Brevard and Indian River Counties.

February 2013: Health First announces the official launch of the Health First Medical Group, Brevard’s largest multi-specialty physician group. The creation of the Health First Medical Group arrives after aligning with Melbourne Internal Medicine Associates (MIMA).

April 2011: Viera Hospital opens on April 2 to serve residents of Viera and Suntree with a 100-bed facility along with a medical office plaza.

September 2009: An expansion doubling the size of Palm Bay Hospital opens to better serve the Greater Palm Bay area.

August 2008: Pro-Health & Fitness Center opens fourth facility in Viera, establishing future home of the 50-acre Viera Hospital and Medical Plaza integrated healthcare campus.

October 2006: The Heart Center at Holmes Regional Medical Center (HRMC) opens eight-story cardiac and emergency services complex on North end of the hospital campus, including cardiac patient care units with all-private rooms, a new Emergency Department, and a Level II Trauma Center.

January 2004: Holmes Regional Medical Center (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.

1992: Palm Bay Hospital opens with 60 beds, expanding care to South Brevard.

1988: First Flight air ambulance takes flight for the first time, ensuring lifesaving care is always within reach.

1987: Brevard's first NICU opens at Holmes Regional Medical Center, giving our tiniest patients a chance to thrive. 

1985: Brevard’s first cardiac catheterization and open-heart surgery are performed, allowing for advanced local heart care.

July 1962: Cape Canaveral Hospital opens with 44 beds, reflecting the growing needs of our coastal communities. 

1937: Brevard Hospital, now Holmes Regional Medical Center, opens with 27 beds, driven by community support.