A Life of Service, A Story of Care: 87-Year-Old Veteran Calls Santa Rosa Medical Center ‘A 15 Out of 10’
2/23/2026
At 87 years old, Grady Hester has lived a remarkable life of service and leadership. A proud Navy PA and Vietnam Veteran, Grady has dedicated himself not only to his country but also to his community. A Milton local with 40 years of medical experience, he has served as a hospital administrator, a Sunday School teacher, and a longtime member of the Milton City Council.
Over the years, Grady and his wife have been patients at Santa Rosa Medical Center on multiple occasions, receiving care in the ER, ICU, medical floors, and outpatient clinics. Their most recent visit came unexpectedly, when his wife suffered a fall that led to a trip to the ER and later an admission for further evaluation.
Despite his professional background in healthcare, Grady spoke of this experience not as an administrator but as a husband and patient who has witnessed SRMC firsthand. From the very beginning, he says the care they received was nothing short of exceptional.
“The thing I was impressed with was the care from the kitchen staff, to the housekeeping staff, to the professional staff, the nurses, the aides, the doctors - how attentive they were not only to my wife’s needs, but to my needs, and my kids’ needs. I was just amazed.”
For someone with decades of healthcare experience, Grady’s words carry special weight. While he and his family have several hospitals nearby, they continue to choose Santa Rosa Medical Center. “We always have the option to go to other hospitals, but we choose Santa Rosa every time.”
When asked to rate his most recent experience, Grady didn’t hesitate: “On a scale from 1–10, 10 being the best, it was a 15.”
And when asked for one word that sums it up? “Phenomenal. Exceptional. Outstanding.”
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