HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

DIRECTOR'S AND OFFICER'S

POWER OF ATTORNEY


	KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That the undersigned,
being a Director and/or Officer of Health Management
Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the  "Corporation"),
DOES HEREBY constitute and appoint Timothy R. Parry,
Robert E. Farnham and Rob F. Jay, and each of them,
the attorneys of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, for and in the name, place and stead
of the undersigned:

(1) to sign and file on behalf of the undersigned any forms
required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, with full power and authority to do
and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever under
and in accordance with the Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder by the Commission, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorney or attorneys, or any
such substitute or substitutes; and

(2) to take any and all action which such attorneys may deem
necessary or desirable in this regard.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand
as of the date set forth below.

Dated:  9/16/02

/s/  Robert A. Knox
Robert A. Knox


STATE OF WYOMING	)
COUNTY OF TETON	)SS:

	On this 16th day of September, 2002, before me
personally came Robert A. Knox, to me known and known
to me to be the individual described in, and who executed
the foregoing instrument, and the above-named person
acknowledged to me that said person executed the same.

/s/  Shirley A. Moomey
Notary Public