HCA Healthcare Hope Fund assists more than 51,000 colleagues and their families

The top priority of HCA Healthcare’s more than 294,000 colleagues is to take excellent care of our patients. But through the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund, we also take care of each other. The Hope Fund is a colleague-run, colleague-supported 501(c)(3) charity that helps colleagues and their families when faced with financial hardship due to natural disaster, illness/injury, domestic violence, death of a loved one or other difficult situations.

Since its inception in 2005, the Hope Fund has assisted more than 51,000 HCA Healthcare families with over $97 million in emergency funds to overcome life’s most unexpected challenges. So far in 2023, $7 million in assistance has been distributed to our colleagues through more than 2,300 grants.

“The HCA Healthcare Hope Fund is an excellent example of the collective impact our colleagues can make,” said Sammie Mosier, HCA Healthcare senior vice president and chief nurse executive. “Our organization grows stronger with every compassionate donation and every bit of hope we provide. We care for each other so we can better care for our patients and our communities.”

As our organization celebrates Hope Fund Week 2023, we send gratitude to our colleagues who continue to make a difference for fellow colleagues when they need it the most. Below, we share five stories of hope from colleagues who are forever grateful for the generosity of their peers.

Sydney receives hope when her son needed open heart surgery

Sydney Watson, a registered nurse at HCA Healthcare’s Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, knew she was in for a challenging road ahead when she learned her unborn son had a spot on his heart. The first few months of baby Jordan’s life were challenging for Sydney as her son struggled to breathe while he slept. Finally, at eleven months old, Jordan was ready to undergo open heart surgery.

Sydney, a single mom, also cares for her 9-year-old son and her 4-year-old niece, whom she adopted after her sister passed away. Sydney had taken extensive time off of work to care for baby Jordan when he was born and was denied state disability thereafter because she had already used up her allotted time for the year.

She wasn’t sure how she could possibly make ends meet and worried her family would be evicted from their home.

Her colleagues reminded her about the Hope Fund, and Sydney decided to apply. When she learned she would be getting help, Sydney remembers dropping to her knees and crying.

Sydney’s advice for other colleagues is that it’s okay to ask for help, and for those who are not in the midst of hardship, she encourages them to donate. “I think it’s a cause everyone should donate to because we’re a family,” said Sydney. “The Hope Fund exists because we have colleagues who are willing to donate to help one another in their time of need, whether they know them or not. It is so worthwhile.”

Denise finds hope after her home was damaged in a flood   

Denise Morris is a nursing director at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in Aventura, Florida who joined the HCA Healthcare family over 13 years ago.

As a Florida resident, Denise is no stranger to severe weather but had never been personally impacted until she came home from work one day to find water pouring into her house. Unsure of what to do and still having power, Denise stayed in her home as the water continued to rise. By that night, the water was up to her bed.

Denise ended up leaving her home with rescue personnel and stayed temporarily with a fellow HCA Healthcare colleague as she waited for her home to be repaired. “The only things that weren’t damaged were mounted to the wall like my TV and cabinets,” Denise recalled. “All of my furniture, drywall – everything had to be taken out.”

She was displaced for months while sorting out claims with her insurance and working to get repairs done. “I understand hurricane victims more now,” Denise said. “I have insurance, but it was still such a challenging process.” Denise’s human resources department reminded her about the Hope Fund, and she was able to get assistance to help offset the costs of deductibles, repairs and other expenses.

“I am very grateful to my organization and the people I work with. I have a good support system, and I am so glad the Hope Fund is there for our colleagues,” Denise said.

Hope Fund offers help to Wanda’s family after a devastating car accident

Wanda Claybrook is a health information specialist for HCA Healthcare affiliate Parallon, a leading provider of revenue cycle management services in Nashville, Tennessee. In her role, she processes charts and records for patients.

Wanda first learned about the Hope Fund 11 years ago when she first joined our organization, but never imagined needing assistance. However, she found herself needing to apply for financial help after Herman, her husband, was in a devastating car accident.

Herman needed surgery due to nerve issues, and he was not able to work for an extended period of time. Without his income, the couple fell behind on household bills and began to worry about how they would make ends meet. That’s when Wanda’s colleagues reminded her about the Hope Fund.

“They helped me, and I am very grateful,” Wanda said. “It took away a lot of stress, I felt a lot of relief.”

Today, Wanda is proud to share that Herman is doing well. After her experience, Wanda hopes that all colleagues who are able to will consider donating. “The Hope Fund is a good thing to donate to because it comes back to our own people,” Wanda explained. “A lot of people are in need, so have that giving heart. You never know who will need it.”

Hope finds Alaina after she underwent a heart procedure

Alaina Kelley is a sterile processing technician at HCA Healthcare affiliate the Surgery Center of Anchorage in Alaska. In her role, Alaina is involved in the cleaning and sterilization of instruments used in surgeries.

Alaina reached out to the Hope Fund after she underwent a procedure for her heart condition called cardiac ablation, which is used to correct abnormal heart rhythms. In most cases, it takes only about a week to recover, but for Alaina, it took longer. Out of work for an extended period of time, she began to fall behind on bills and worried about being able to pay her rent.

It was Alaina’s manager who reminded her about the resources available to her as an HCA Healthcare colleague, including the Hope Fund. When Alaina learned she would get assistance, she said, “It was a huge relief. I was really struggling, and it really helped me.”

The Hope Fund was able to help her pay her rent and focus on her recovery. Alaina encourages her colleagues who may be going through hardship with nowhere else to turn to consider the Hope Fund. “We are very blessed to have this available to us,” Alaina said. “It helps a lot of people.”

Waking up in the hospital after a major seizure, Julien needed assistance

Julien Bruce is a simulation specialist for HCA Healthcare affiliate HealthTrust Workforce Solutions, who helps teach new residents and nurses. He lives with a rare genetic disorder that caused him to have a major seizure at just 25 years old.

“I remember driving home and then waking up in the hospital,” Julien recalled. “I’m doing a lot better now, but it was very scary for my family.”

As he recovered, Julien was unable to work and he fell behind on bills. Luckily, Julien remembered about the Hope Fund and decided to apply for help.

He received assistance and it meant the world to him and his family. “I was able to get back on my feet before going back to work. I knew everything was going to be all right.”

Julien is grateful to his colleagues for the help. To his HCA Healthcare family, he said: “As long as you have a good family to support you, you can get through the toughest situations.”