HCA Healthcare’s Cultural Inclusion Series Welcomed Acclaimed Dance Company

At HCA Healthcare, we strive to embrace the differences that make us unique. That’s why in 2007 we launched the Cultural Inclusion Series (CIS) to provide our employees with original, educational and thought-provoking artistic presentations. The program, an International Innovation in Diversity award winner, is a unique learning tool that provides greater cultural understanding and a platform for informal diversity education.

Last week, the CIS welcomed AXIS Dance Company – one of the world’s leading and most innovative ensembles of dancers with and without disabilities – to our corporate office in Nashville. The Oakland based company specializes in contemporary, physically integrated dance, and shared excerpts from their 14-city tour, including a piece that addressed veterans’ stories of resilience, and took part in a Q&A session.

Existing to change the face of dance and disability, AXIS shares its cutting edge, artistic and educational outreach work with thousands each year all over the world. We were pleased to experience this unique gift of dance and celebrate its’ diversity – the one true thing we all have in common.

View an excerpt from a 2014 AXIS performance below.

AXIS Dance Company has been featured twice on the FOX television show “So You Think You Can Dance”. Founded in 1987, AXIS emerged at a time when the Disabilities Rights and Independent Living Movement were gaining stride and the dance community was just beginning to open its doors to people with disabilities. Now under the artistic and education/outreach vision of Artistic Director Judith Smith, she has taken AXIS to new heights, dramatically expanding AXIS’ education and outreach efforts.