HCA Healthcare inks partnership with the U.S. Army

HCA Healthcare and the United States Army Medical Recruiting Brigade on Thursday signed a partnership agreement allowing the Army to provide specialized training for our organization’s residency and fellowship programs nationwide.

Through the agreement, known as the Patriot Partnership Program, the oldest and largest branch of our nation’s military will provide subject matter experts to conduct clinics, lectures, grand rounds and combat casualty care and training in the areas of infectious disease control, mass casualty response and emergency trauma.

Unlock Possibilities

“Today marks the beginning of an important endeavor for us in a partnership with the U.S. Army,” said Michael Cuffe, M.D., the head of HCA Healthcare’s Physician Services Group. “As an organization, we’re always looking for ways to unlock new possibilities and open new doors. This partnership is one of those opportunities and marks a new and exciting chapter together.”

HCA Healthcare’s Physician Services Group is home to the nation’s largest provider of graduate medical education (GME). With 3,922 residents and fellows in 241 programs across 53 affiliate hospitals, HCA Healthcare GME is on target to train more than 7,500 residents and fellows by 2028.

Dr. Michael Cuffe speaks at the signing ceremony held at Health Park Drive, home of HCA Healthcare’s Physician Services Group.

The Patriot Partnership Program also will provide an opportunity for our residents and fellows to learn about financial support offered through serving in the Army Reserves.

“More often than not, incoming residents of our programs have an average student debt of $200,000,” Bruce Deighton, M.D., vice president of graduate medical education at HCA Healthcare, said. “The Patriot Partnership Program not only creates pathways for our residents and fellows to become physicians and officers within the military, but also enables them to gain the financial support they may need while they continue their training and serve our country.”

Col. Edward F. Mandril and Dr. Bruce Deighton sign the memorandum of agreement between HCA Healthcare and the U.S. Army.

Hiring our Heroes

HCA Healthcare has a strong and longstanding connection to the U.S. armed forces, military veterans, and their families. We also partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program and sit on the Chamber’s national Veteran Employment Advisory Council, a group of the nation’s largest employers from a cross-section of industries.

Nationally recognized as a military friendly and military spouse friendly employer for nine consecutive years by VIQTORY (formerly known as Victory Media), HCA Healthcare has proudly hired more than 23,000 military veterans and 7,500 military spouses since 2012.

“This partnership reminds me and those in uniform of the importance of an organization like HCA Healthcare,” Col. Edward F. Mandril, commander of the Medical Recruiting Brigade, said during the signing ceremony. “We’re super enthusiastic about coming together to offer reserve opportunities to keep your physicians and healthcare providers in their hospitals and communities, and their families in one location, all while providing care for our service members and serving our country.”

Dr. Bruce Deighton and Col. Edward F. Mandril seal the partnership agreement with a handshake.

“A win-win partnership”

“Our shared commitment to improve healthcare by enhancing the training of the next generation of physicians makes this a win-win partnership,” said Dr. Cuffe. “Sharing knowledge and working on ways we can improve the care for our patients across all of our communities, really makes this relationship so special.”

Dr. Bruce Deighton and Col. Edward F. Mandril pose with the Patriot Partnership Promise agreement.

Click here to learn more about HCA Healthcare’s  Graduate Medical Education.