'Thank a Teacher' recipient for April recognized by Ocala Hospital and West Marion Hospital

Ocala, Fla. — HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC), are pleased to announce Sunny Collins of Forest High School in Ocala as the latest recipient of the “Thank a Teacher” award.

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO Alan Keesee and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital CEO Isaiah Zirkle recognized Collins during an event at the school on April 24. Also in attendance were Marion County School Board Chairwoman Lori Conrad, school board members Sarah James, Ed.D., and Nancy Thrower, PEFMC Executive Director Meghan Magamoll, and other school, foundation and business leaders.

The nomination for the award praised Collins, a health occupational sciences teacher and a sponsor of the school’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club, for going above and beyond for her students. “She encourages them and inspires them to be better students,” the nomination noted. “She helps her students find their passion in the medical field and helps foster their goals.”

“What happens in our classrooms lays a foundation for a lifetime of learning and success for students, and teachers set the pace and direction of those activities,” said Keesee. “At HCA Florida Healthcare, we think it is critical to recognize teachers, such as Sunny, who strive each day to provide students that sound foundation for future success.”

“Sunny clearly has a profound impact on her students and is able to motivate them to excel in class and in life,” said Zirkle. “It is a pleasure for us at HCA Florida Healthcare to honor educators like Sunny who can bring out the best in their students.”     

Magamoll noted, “The HCA Florida Healthcare ‘Thank a Teacher’ campaign is an opportunity for all us to show appreciation to teachers through shared words of gratitude. Saying ‘thank you’ to teachers is a simple, yet priceless, way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication.”

During the 2024-25 school year, students, families and staff members are encouraged to share their stories about a particular teacher's inspiring actions, supportive words, creative lessons, or their overall positive impact. 

Teachers selected as a result of nominations from the public will receive $250 and a special email containing those heartfelt messages. To learn more about the “Thank a Teacher” program and the nomination process visit the Public Education Foundation of Marion County webpage.