Making a difference through 50 days of service

HCA Healthcare colleagues know that availability of resources to meet daily needs, such as safe housing and food, are social determinants of health. As part of our 50th-anniversary celebration, HCA Healthcare caregivers and staff across the country have partnered with Meals on Wheels, community gardens, shelters, and food banks to provide food to meet the needs of our neighbors. Read the stories below to see how we are engaging in “50 Days of Service” to make a difference in the communities we serve.

Helping Mamas

Our colleagues at affiliate Eastside Medical Center in Snellville, Ga., partnered with Helping Mamas, a local non-profit organization, to collect essential baby items such as diapers, wipes, clothes, bottles, pacifiers, car seats, and cribs for local families.

One in three moms has to choose between diapers and food. An insufficient supply of diapers is a risk not only for poor infant and child health but also for maternal mental health. Helping Mama’s philosophy is that every mama needs a little help and has a little help to give.

Eastside Medical Center wanted to lend a helping hand. Eastside colleagues collected 3,194 diapers, 99 packs of wipes, 912 items of baby clothing, and 775 additional essential baby items. Then, they volunteered their time to organize, pack, and deliver the items. Through this partnership with Helping Mamas, our colleagues were able to help 3,000 metro Atlanta families.

Providing Hot Meals

In Salt Lake City, Utah, located in HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division, nearly 20 HCA Healthcare colleagues joined together to serve 475 women and men staying at the Road Home Homeless Shelter.

Due to limitations of the shelter facility, the shelter is unable to provide meals to its residents. It relies on the goodwill and initiative of volunteers to purchase, prepare and serve hot meals to our neighbors in need.

One gentleman thanked volunteers and told him the meal was the first meal he had in three days.

Helping Solve Business and IT Problems

In HCA Healthcare’s hometown of Nashville, Tenn., more than 115 of our non-clinical Information Technology & Services (IT&S) colleagues dedicated a full work day to help 18 local nonprofits solve business and IT problems, which allow them to focus on serving more members of our community.

“Groups all over Nashville are filling the gaps for when people are going through difficult times. It’s a lot of work and takes an entire community to help, and I think with our team of volunteers, we realize we can be a part of that story,” said HCA Healthcare IT&S Web Designer Logan Hartline.

IT professionals from every corner of the organization participated. Some trained on Microsoft Office tools. Others optimized networks and addressed desktop questions and issues. Salesforce developers tweaked and developed. Information Protection professionals strengthened networks and process experts assessed and facilitated innovation ideas.

Deborah Long, Product Support Manager, echoed how important giving back is to our culture. “IT Community Day reminded and reinforced why I love my job. The HCA Healthcare family makes a difference in so many ways. Community Day rejuvenated my spirit, and I appreciated the opportunity to serve.”

Making the greenway beautiful again

Colleagues from TriStar Summit Medical Center joined community members in Hermitage, Tenn., a suburb of Nashville, for a “Give Back Day” to clean up the Stones River Greenway. Located just one mile from TriStar Summit, the local greenway was the perfect project for colleagues to help provide a safe space in the community for individuals and families to be active and enjoy the great outdoors.

Colleagues brought several family members and a few pets to join in removing trash and beautifying the greenway. They really enjoyed the event and are already planning another “Give Back Day” for next spring.

Giving Students Tools to Succeed

Every fall, students go back to school without important supplies they need to succeed.  In San Jose, Cali., Sacred Heart Community Service’s Pack-A-Back campaign provides underserved students with the tools they need to succeed in school. Recognizing that parents in the community often do not have enough money to provide these tools, Regional Medical Center of San Jose jumped in to help by collecting donations for the annual drive and volunteering at the distribution event.

More than 100 colleagues at Regional Medical Center of San Jose donated backpacks and/or school supplies to Sacred Heart Community Service to help prepare underserved students in the community for school.  Colleagues also partnered with other volunteers to pack and distribute more than 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to local students.

Lending a Helping Hand

Cartersville Medical Center in Cartersville, Ga., served together, working in teams on three worthwhile community projects. One team constructed a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramp for a local Meals on Wheels and dialysis patient. Another team distributed and organized food for the Harvest House Food Pantry Project, and others helped the Hickory Log Men’s Vocational Home Project with cleaning and making crafts with residents.

This Thanksgiving holiday, we’re thankful for our colleagues who are making a difference across the country and caring for our communities.

HCA Healthcare 50th Anniversary
In 1968, HCA Healthcare was conceived by two physicians and an accomplished business leader — Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., Dr. Thomas Frist Jr., and Jack Massey. This year, HCA Healthcare celebrates its golden anniversary and the culture of caring established by our three founders 50 years ago. To help us celebrate our 50th year, we’ll share stories here that reflect HCA Healthcare’s mission – above all else, the care and improvement of human life – and our pledge to improve life and make history for the next 50 years and beyond.