Carolyn Exelby's 40-year journey as Englewood Hospital's first employee

As HCA Florida Englewood Hospital celebrates 40 years of caring for our community, we begin our anniversary spotlight series with a remarkable colleague who helped lay the foundation, literally, for everything we’ve built since.

Carolyn Exelby was our very first employee, hired in 1985 before the hospital even opened its doors. As a single mom new to Englewood, she sought a job close to home for her child’s safety. 

What she found was more than a job, it was a calling. “As fate would have it, I found the perfect position in Materials Management,” she said. “Now called Supply Chain, it’s where I’ve been ever since.”

‌Her proudest moment? Being selected to represent Englewood Hospital in a video for the HCA Florida rebranding campaign. “It was such an honor,” she said. “Being part of our Florida Team means we’re stronger together. We may be a small hospital, but we have big heart and big impact.”

Carolyn credits the people of Englewood Hospital for her longevity. “This has always been a friendly, compassionate place to work,” she said. “I felt I could make a difference here for my community. It’s a place where I belong.”

She’s seen the hospital grow in patient volume and services, but one thing has remained constant: “The compassionate care our staff has for patients and each other.”

Outside of work, Carolyn finds joy in travel, especially her annual solo trips to Italy, and in the arts, from theater and music to painting and culinary adventures. Her favorite quote reflects her deep sense of gratitude and perspective: “I asked God for flowers and he gave me rain. When you understand this, everything starts to make sense.”

As we honor 40 years of service, Carolyn reminds us what it means to serve: “Healthcare touches everyone. I’m blessed to support those who provide direct patient care. Every job matters.”

Thank you, Carolyn, for being the heart of our hospital from day one.