HCA Healthcare

Yesterday, Hurricane #Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing heavy wind, rain and storm surge. It is the strongest hurricane on record to impact Florida’s Big Bend region and is now moving through the southern U.S. We are incredibly proud of our colleagues’ unwavering commitment to the care and improvement of human life as they continue to care for our patients, the communities we serve and each other. At HCA Healthcare, compassion goes beyond patient care for our more than 309,000 colleagues – it extends to showing up for each other during tough times. Through the generosity of our colleagues, the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund ensures our colleagues do not have to face challenges alone. The Hope Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity run by colleagues, for colleagues. Those who give to the Hope Fund are supporting colleagues and their families who face financial hardship due to natural disaster, illness or injury, domestic violence, death of a loved one or other unexpected situations. ➡️ HCA Healthcare colleagues impacted by Hurricane Helene can visit the Hope Fund’s website to learn more and apply to request assistance. Please also consider supporting impacted colleagues by donating to the Hope Fund at www.HCAHopeFund.com. During Hope Fund Week 2024, we encourage you to read stories of hope from colleagues who have been positively impacted by the generosity of their peers on “HCA Healthcare Today”: https://bit.ly/4emw6jr. #HCACares #OurHopeFund #CareLikeFamily

Across our HCA Healthcare network of care, our dedicated Information Technology Group (ITG) colleagues focus on providing innovative technology solutions and services each day. This essential support enables our physicians, nurses, clinicians and colleagues to provide exceptional, patient-focused care. From hospitals and freestanding emergency rooms to physician practices and surgery centers, our ITG colleagues provide support in a variety of healthcare environments. Emily Johnson has been a part of HCA Healthcare’s ITG for more than 11 years and today, proudly serves as the ITG Director of Operations for HCA Healthcare | TriStar Division. She shares that by prioritizing operational efficiency and analytics tools to support clinicians, the Information Technology Group delivers upon HCA Healthcare’s mission to care for and improve human life on a daily basis. During Healthcare IT Week, please join us in thanking ITG colleagues, like Emily, for developing and driving innovative solutions that make a positive impact in the lives of our colleagues and patients. To learn about rewarding career opportunities within HCA Healthcare’s Information Technology Group, visit https://bit.ly/3XZYtOE. #UnlockPossibilities

Today, we presented our annual HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction to recipients at a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee. The HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction, which include the Frist Humanitarian Award, the HCA Healthcare Innovators Award and the HCA Healthcare Excellence in Nursing Award, are the highest honors HCA Healthcare bestows on employees, physicians and volunteers, recognizing the extraordinary individuals who exemplify the organization’s culture and values. “Each year, it is our distinct honor to recognize the remarkable individuals who make our organization better through their commitment to excellence for our patients,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. “The selfless service demonstrated by today’s recipients exemplifies the mission upon which HCA Healthcare was founded – a commitment to the care and improvement of human life.” Congratulations to our 2024 award recipients! 🔶 Frist Humanitarian Award (Physician): Jonathan Jacobs, MD, Internal Medicine Physician at Menorah Medical Center 🔶 Frist Humanitarian Award (Employee): Samantha McClelland, BS, RRT, CES-A, ECMO Program Coordinator at Portsmouth Regional Hospital - New Hampshire 🔶 Frist Humanitarian Award (Volunteer): Paulette Bennett, Pet Therapy Program Volunteer at Ogden Regional Medical Center 🔶 Excellence in Nursing (Compassionate Care): Heather Hurlburt, RN, Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse at Sunrise Children’s Hospital 🔶 Excellence in Nursing (Professional Mentoring): Roni S. Hutson, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Methodist Healthcare System's Methodist Hospital 🔶 Innovators Award: Jedediah Vivio, Senior Product Analyst in HCA Healthcare’s Information Technology Group (ITG) Learn more about the honors and meet the exceptional individuals who are making a difference across HCA Healthcare: https://bit.ly/4gChb6g. #PositiveImpact #AwardsOfDistinction

Today, the HCA Healthcare | TriStar Division announced a $600,000 gift to Meharry Medical College to support paid internship and scholarship opportunities over four years for graduate students in the School of Applied Computational Sciences (SACS). This investment is part of HCA Healthcare’s $10 million pledge to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Meharry Medical College is one of the nation’s oldest and largest historically Black academic health science centers. In addition to a medical school, Meharry Medical College is home to a dental school, graduate school and applied computational sciences school. Founded in 2021, Meharry’s SACS offers both M.S. and Ph.D. Data Science and Biomedical Data Science degrees. HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health have a long-standing relationship, with many Meharry students going on to practice at TriStar Health hospitals. Members of HCA Healthcare leadership have also served on Meharry’s Board of Trustees. In addition, TriStar Health hosts Meharry medical students during their third-year clerkships at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center for family medicine and TriStar Skyline Medical Center for emergency medicine. On “HCA Healthcare Today,” learn more about how we are investing in future healthcare leaders in Tennessee and across the country: https://bit.ly/4exVp1L. #UnlockPossibilities #PositiveImpact #MeharryMedicalCollege #MeharrySACS

Together, HCA Healthcare and Galen College of Nursing are increasing access to high-quality nursing education in support of nurse workforce development and providing nursing career growth opportunities for HCA Healthcare colleagues. To gain real-world insight, nursing students from Galen’s Asheville, North Carolina campus recently visited an HCA Healthcare hospital and received a lesson on the vital role that air transport teams play during medical emergencies. The medical transport team at HCA Healthcare affiliate Mission Health provides air medical services to 18 western North Carolina counties, eastern Tennessee, northeast Georgia and northern South Carolina. Nursing students were given a tour of a medical transport helicopter and heard about the lifesaving care that is provided to critically ill and injured adult and pediatric patients during flight. Mission Health’s Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) team is comprised of nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists and pilots who cover approximately 10,000 square miles per day. Thank you, HCA Healthcare colleagues, for inspiring and motivating the next generation of nurses. Learn more about how Galen College of Nursing is expanding educational opportunities for aspiring nurses, visit https://galencollege.edu/. #HCANursing #UnlockPossibilities #GalenCollegeofNursing

HCA Florida Healthcare colleague Cynthia Fletcher-Bryant recently proved that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. She became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at 65-years-old. From a young age, Cynthia dreamt of pursuing a healthcare career. Life had other plans and Cynthia explored other professions as a writer and with a grocery store chain. After the unexpected passing of Cynthia’s husband and the hospitalization of her brother, she witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication of medical professionals and it sparked a desire to chase her lifelong dream. With a strong passion for helping others, Cynthia joined HCA Florida Brandon Hospital in 2021 as a nurse extern and, at 65-years-old, became a LPN through Galen College of Nursing. As part of the HCA Healthcare family, Galen is dedicated to providing quality education, training, and career development opportunities for current and future nurses. Today, Cynthia serves our patients in the Brandon, Florida hospital’s medical-surgical unit. Her advice for others that may be considering changing careers later in life, “If it's something that’s in you…go do it!” To learn more about how HCA Healthcare supports the growth and development of our nursing colleagues, visit https://bit.ly/46eU9xw. #HCANursing #UnlockPossibilities

HCA Healthcare was founded by physicians with the intent of creating an environment where healthcare can flourish. By prioritizing physician input, clinical capabilities, growth and innovation, we strive to enable our more than 45,000 active and affiliated physicians to focus more on what they do best: caring for our patients. This dedication to excellence extends to how we integrate new physicians into our organization. HealthLeaders recently spoke with Dr. Pranav Mehta, chief medical officer of HCA Healthcare’s American and Atlantic Groups, about HCA Healthcare’s innovative approach to physician onboarding. "No matter what state you are practicing in, we want clinicians to be exposed to some of the concepts around leadership, alignment, quality, patient safety and other things they need to know to be successful in their jobs," Mehta shared. By emphasizing structured training, clear communication, and team integration, we strive to ensure new clinicians successfully begin clinical practice and positively enhance patient care from day one. Learn more about how HCA Healthcare is shaping healthcare of the future through the physician onboarding experience: https://bit.ly/4gqtgeO. #ImproveMoreLives

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) is a monthlong celebration recognizing the historical legacy and contributions of the Hispanic community. We honor the experiences, stories and traditions interwoven in the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture and recognize the achievements that have helped shape our nation. Today, we’re continuing the “Power of One Experience” series, which aims to amplify influential moments in our colleagues’ lives. Today, HCA Florida Healthcare colleague Adriana Rojas, who performs critical lab diagnostics as a medical technologist at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, shares her experience. Adriana’s Latin heritage and Venezuelan background profoundly influenced her decision to pursue a career in healthcare. “My heritage has taught me the importance of working hard and following my dreams, despite the challenges,” she shared. “A defining moment in my life was receiving my certification as a medical technologist. It marked the culmination of a stage of hard work and opened new opportunities for my growth in this country that welcomed me as an immigrant.” Adriana continues, “I have worked as a housekeeper, a restaurant cook and a packer, but during the pandemic I felt a great motivation to take the test and obtain the certification. The challenges and pressures facing the healthcare system were unprecedented, and I saw firsthand how vital accurate testing and diagnostics were to managing the spread of COVID-19. I was inspired by the dedication of those on the front lines and wanted to contribute in a meaningful way.” Thank you, Adriana, for sharing how your unique story led you to HCA Healthcare and for the significant impact you’re making in your community. #PositiveImpact #HispanicHeritageMonth

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection, impacting 1.7 million adults in the United States annually. It’s a life-threatening medical emergency. Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection – like lung, urinary tract, or skin infections – can lead to sepsis. This #SepsisAwarenessMonth, Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Sydney Hester shares crucial information on reducing your risk of sepsis and shines a light on HCA Healthcare’s innovative efforts to identify and treat sepsis early. And remember, act fast and seek medical care immediately at an HCA Healthcare ER if you have signs or symptoms of sepsis or have an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse. Early intervention is key. #ImproveMoreLives #SAM2024

Each year, thousands of students begin a new school year without the essential supplies needed to create the proper framework for learning. Teachers often reach into their own pockets to fill this gap, sometimes spending up to $750 of their own money to fund supplies for their classrooms, according to the National Education Association. As a part of HCA Florida Healthcare’s “We Show Up for Our Schools” month of service, our colleagues collected and donated more than 22,000 individual school items and other necessary classroom items to support teachers and students across Florida. In support of the month-long service initiative, HCA Florida Healthcare colleagues organized school supply drives, filled backpacks, donated bicycles, volunteered for campus beautification projects, donated to area teacher supply stores and much more. “At HCA Florida Healthcare, we are committed to caring for and improving human life, and this coordinated effort is another step toward fulfilling that mission,” shared Denise Kendust, AVP of community engagement for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division. “Our annual ‘We Show Up for Our Schools’ initiative is a meaningful way for our colleagues to give back to the communities where we live and work. The supplies we collect ensure teachers have the resources they need to accelerate learning and the students in our communities can stay healthy and focus on learning.” To learn more about the impact of the annual “We Show Up for Our Schools” initiative, visit https://bit.ly/3MLAxZ3. #PositiveImpact #HCACares