HCA Healthcare and REBOOT Recovery bring healing to hometown heroes

According to the latest data put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for veterans accounted for 13.5% of all deaths by suicide among U.S. adults. At HCA Healthcare, we are privileged to support a number of causes that align with our mission to care for and improve human life. By partnering with REBOOT Recovery, an organization devoted to curbing the epidemic of veteran suicide, HCA Healthcare has supported hope and healing for thousands of veteran families.

A lifeline

HCA Healthcare is committed to addressing key issues tied to the health of our hometowns across the country. Since 2015, we’ve been an active contributor to REBOOT Recovery, pledging to bring trauma healing to community heroes through more than $225,000 in financial support. Annually, we’ve honored our HCA Healthcare veteran colleagues through these contributions. As a result, REBOOT is able to serve twice as many combat veterans and first responders through peer-led courses.

With the support of corporate and community sponsors, like HCA Healthcare, REBOOT now boasts 280 locations in 37 different states. The community based courses are designed to address the spiritual and moral wounds of war and give hope back to those who have lost it.

“It is critically important that our combat veterans and first responders know our gratitude goes well beyond words,” says Christopher Northam, HCA Healthcare’s vice president of telehealth, a REBOOT Recovery board member and veteran. “Investing in these programs, which support these great Americans and their families through the ongoing healing process, is the least that we can do.”

“The work REBOOT Recovery does supports these individuals and their families in communities across the country, and it is literally saving lives every day,” Northam adds. “I am proud to say that REBOOT’s mission is in complete alignment with HCA Healthcare’s mission: ‘Above all else we are committed to the care and improvement of human life’.”

The effectiveness of the 12-week course is undeniable:

• Since 2011, the program has seen more than 8,000 graduates
• More than 41% of graduates train to become REBOOT leaders
• Each week 850 volunteers lead courses in their communities and devote nearly 90,000 hours of time to this important mission

“We pride ourselves on working with like-minded organizations. This is why our partnership with HCA Healthcare is such a great fit – and frankly vital to the work that we do,” says Evan Owens, co-founder and executive director of REBOOT Recovery.

From pain to purpose

While he now serves as a REBOOT Recovery engagement coordinator, Bryan Flannery reluctantly attended his first REBOOT meeting in 2012.

During deployment, Bryan suffered physical trauma after his vehicle rolled down a ravine in Afghanistan, causing severe injuries to his neck.

However, it was the emotional trauma that nearly took his life.

After a failed suicide attempt, Bryan was walking on base when he was approached by REBOOT’s Evan Owens, who invited him to a meeting. He initially dismissed the invitation but changed his mind with the offer of free pizza.

This decision to attend that initial REBOOT meeting changed, and saved, his life.

Bryan connected with other veterans and slowly realized he was surrounded by a group of people who understood what he was going through.

Upon graduating from the REBOOT program, Bryan and his wife, Jennifer, both became trained in facilitating the groups to help other heroes in need.

“I went from feeling helpless and angry to feeling hope and support,” said Bryan. “This organization changed the course of my life, and because of that, I knew I had to pay it forward and give that same gift to others struggling.”

“I have seen lives go from despair to hope. From pains to purpose. From bitterness to joy. This is from others, but also in my own life,” Jennifer told the The Tennessean.

Struggling? There is help

If you are a veteran struggling with thoughts of hopelessness, know that there is help. Find out more about REBOOT Recovery courses here.

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide and need immediate help, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.