Black History Month: HCA Healthcare shines a spotlight on HBCU partners

In recognition of Black History Month, HCA Healthcare is celebrating the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on our colleagues and communities. Established in the 19th century, HBCUs originally offered Black Americans one of their only routes to a college degree. These institutions helped Black Americans pursue professional careers, earn graduate degrees and advance their education in an inclusive environment. HBCU students have often led the way for social change, including the boycotts and marches led by students at Fisk University and Tennessee State University in the 1960s, ending segregation in Nashville.

HCA Healthcare recognizes the undeniable relevancy of HBCUs and has a history of strategically partnering with these institutions to develop future healthcare leaders. Most recently, in 2021, we announced HCA Healthcare will invest $10 million over the next three years in HBCUs and Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) in communities across our footprint, including an initial $1.5 million partnership with Florida A&M University (FAMU).

Read stories below from HCA Healthcare colleagues who have attended our partner schools on how attending an HBCU has impacted them.

Nicole Allen, AVP Patient Experience, HCA Healthcare’s Ambulatory Surgery Division

Florida A&M University (FAMU) alum

Nicole Allen, AVP Patient Experience for HCA Healthcare’s Ambulatory Surgery Division, received her Bachelor’s degree from FAMU. It was the personalization of FAMU that made her decision to attend easier.

“A recruiter from FAMU, Mr. Rudolph Slaughter, came to my high school and told me, ‘You are smart and you are meant for greatness. FAMU is where you need to be, so let me help you’ and he did,” said Nicole. “He explained the entire process, offered me a full scholarship, and showed me the amazing world that FAMU as an HBCU had to offer. It felt like family, like home, and was honestly one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Nicole said feeling connected and understood was important, and the feeling of family made the transition from high school to ‘adulthood’ easier.

“I adored my science labs and especially having female teachers of color in the sciences,” said Nicole. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for young people to see themselves reflected in academia and the sciences.”

Nicole met the love of her life at FAMU and stays connected with her alma mater through the FAMU alumni association. Two of her children have received acceptance letters to FAMU and her fingers are crossed at least one of them will choose to follow in their parents’ footsteps.

“I am forever grateful to Mr. Slaughter for bringing FAMU into my life and for the experiences, lessons, and knowledge I gained from attaining my degree there. No matter where life takes me, I will always be a Rattler at heart.”

Jillian Allen, Implementation Specialist, HCA Healthcare’s Clinical Operations Group

Fisk University alum

In 2019, the HCA Healthcare Scholars at Fisk University program was created to provide scholarships, career planning support and internship opportunities for high-achieving undergraduates.

One of those recipients was Jillian Allen, an implementation specialist with HCA Healthcare’s clinical operations group, who notes the decision to attend Fisk University ultimately was divinely orchestrated.  

“We have this special saying at Fisk that states ‘I didn’t choose Fisk, Fisk chose me’ and in almost every way, the university truly does,” said Jillian. “When I visited Fisk during the spring break of my senior year of high school, every person I talked to had great things to say – from the students to the faculty and staff – that built my confidence that Fisk would be the best HBCU for me.”

Jillian loved Fisk’s small classroom sizes, ability to build a greater rapport with professors and unique campus events.

“You can’t forget Fried Chicken Wednesday, where you get a taste of home if you’re from the South, or Well-Dressed Wednesdays when you wanted to show your fashion sense from a professional perspective,” said Jillian. “Also, homecoming season is something we all take very seriously! It’s an encounter and experience that just can’t be found anywhere. It’s the one time of year where it literally feels like a family reunion.”

Jillian feels Fisk has thoroughly prepared her for post-graduate life. “It’s given me a great deal of confidence and network of alumni to call on for anything and everything, no matter the location. It’s always a great feeling to run into a Fiskite and know the special connection and experience we have had despite what year you may have graduated,” she said. “HBCU alum walk differently, talk differently, and definitely move differently in making outstanding impacts throughout this world in countless ways.”

Karen Polk, Product Analyst, HCA Healthcare’s Information Technology Group

Tennessee State University alum

In 2015, HCA Healthcare committed $1 million to Tennessee State University to fund internship opportunities and support the growth of the Health Information Management program.

Karen Polk, a product analyst for HCA Healthcare’s Information Technology Group, is a proud Tennessee State University (TSU) alum who credits TSU’s comfortable atmosphere to an unforgettable college experience.

“Attending an HBCU makes you feel like you’re always around family and I think being in place where you are wanted and welcomed helps you to stay focused and productive,” said Karen. “Attending an HBCU made me feel included, way before diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) became a trending topic. Tennessee State University provided me the education and leadership skills that have allowed me to grow as an individual and as a professional.”

The cultural and geographical diversity of the student population affirmed her decision that attending an HBCU was the right choice.

“Students from all over the world travel to Nashville, TN to attend Tennessee State University. As a Chicago native, I was happy to connect with other students from my hometown, but I also embraced hearing different accents and learning about the popular food, dances and fashion selections from students from other major cities,” said Karen. “During my first semester, I met one of my cousins for the first time in my calculus class!”

Karen continues to support TSU by regularly donating Cause cards, earned through HCA Healthcare’s Giving and Volunteering program, to TSU’s College of Business and other non-profits operated by former classmates. As an alumna, she remains connected to the university through events such as football games, Battle of the Bands and Homecoming.

“These events consist of thousands of people in attendance and festivities that last for days,” said Karen. “Even though the fun begins in undergrad, the alumni experience is even better!”

Sophia Solomon, MSN, RN, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Research Medical Center

Grambling State University (GSU) and Southern A&M University alum

When Sophia Solomon – assistant chief nursing officer at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri – first started to pursue a career in nursing, she knew that it would not just be a job for her but a “calling in life.”Sophia attended Grambling State University (GSU), an HBCU in Northern Louisiana, where she received her undergraduate nursing degree.

Her decision to attend GSU was made easy as her mother made it clear that she could attend “Grambling, Grambling or Grambling.” Both of her parents are HBCU alumni, with her father having attended GSU and her mother attending Southern A&M University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

GSU emphasizes the value and importance of each student, exemplified by their motto: ‘Where Everybody Is Somebody.’ “It was one of the best times in my life where I believed that matriculation in my degree was solely based on my efforts and not my race or skin color,” said Sophia.

Sophia advanced her nursing knowledge with a Masters of Science in Nursing post-graduate degree from her mother’s alma mater, Southern A&M University.

In choosing a career in nursing, Sofia says she learned from some of the best instructors and professors who take pride in serving mankind. During her medical-surgical clinical rotation, she realized her mission in life was to advocate and provide the best care for those in need.

“I encourage others to choose nursing, and if afforded the opportunity, consider choosing an HBCU,” said Sophia. “The one thing that has always stayed with me is that regardless of my race, gender, socioeconomic status or age, to always give my very best and never settle for mediocracy.”

For future college students looking at colleges, Sofia recommends visiting and touring HBCUs as many are surprised at the degree choices that are offered, not only for people of color, but for everyone.

Sophia advanced her nursing knowledge with a Masters of Science in Nursing post-graduate degree from her mother’s alma mater, Southern A&M University.

In choosing a career in nursing, Sofia says she learned from some of the best instructors and professors who take pride in serving mankind. During her medical-surgical clinical rotation, she realized her mission in life was to advocate and provide the best care for those in need.

“I encourage others to choose nursing, and if afforded the opportunity, consider choosing an HBCU,” said Sophia. “The one thing that has always stayed with me is that regardless of my race, gender, socioeconomic status or age, to always give my very best and never settle for mediocracy.”

For future college students looking at colleges, Sofia recommends visiting and touring HBCUs as many are surprised at the degree choices that are offered, not only for people of color, but for everyone.