~ Helping break the cycle of poverty by providing opportunities for degree attainment ~
February 14, 2024 – Orlando, Fla. – HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to support Take Stock in Children’s efforts to transform Florida one student at a time. The funding is from the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, an $80 million community impact fund that supports innovative initiatives focused on addressing high priority community needs and health equity.
“Take Stock in Children is honored to receive an HCA Healthcare Foundation grant to give high-potential, low-income, at-risk students the resources they need to graduate from high school, go to college, attain degrees, and be successful in college, career and life,” said Jillian Hasner, president and CEO, Take Stock in Children. “This grant will help underserved students stay in school, earn a high school diploma, graduate from college and enter the workforce.”
Take Stock in Children, Inc., is a nonprofit mentoring, college success and college scholarship organization. Working throughout Florida, the organization’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, underserved, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for degree attainment through postsecondary education. Take Stock in Children provides wraparound services to students through an innovative multi-year model from middle school through postsecondary completion.“We are proud to partner with Take Stock in Children program at Polk Education Foundation to ensure students get the education they need to succeed in life,” said Cullen Brown, CEO, HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital. “The ability to provide care for our communities today and for the future fully depends on a robust workforce, including in healthcare.”
Funding the Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2023, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at a cost of more than $3.7 billion and paid $5.9 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Additionally, HCA Healthcare continues to invest in the ongoing education and development of its colleagues and, as an enterprise, contributed $43+ million to community organizations in 2023.
“At HCA Healthcare, we believe partnerships are essential to advancing our mission to care for and improve human lives,” said Joanne Pulles, president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “Partnering with organizations like Take Stock in Children allows us to do more for our communities than we can do separately.”
For more information on the HCA Healthcare Foundation, visit www.hcacaring.org.
About HCA Healthcare Foundation
The mission of the HCA Healthcare Foundation is to promote health and well-being and strive to make a positive impact in all the communities HCA Healthcare serves. We accomplish this mission by providing leadership, service and financial support to effective non-profit organizations working individually and collectively.
About HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital
HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital is a 94-bed acute care facility serving the residents of Osceola and Polk counties. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency care, diagnostic imaging, surgery, diagnostic cardiac catheterization, laboratory, pharmacy, and other support services. The hospital campus includes a 42,000-square-foot medical office building for physicians and other healthcare providers.
HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital also operates HCA Florida ChampionsGate Emergency and HCA Florida Haines City Emergency, both freestanding emergency rooms. These facilities are equipped with 11 private beds and offer a full spectrum of emergency services close to home for their surrounding communities, serving both residents and visitors. For more information, please visit Poinciana Hospital
About Take Stock in Children
Since its founding in 1995, Take Stock in Children has helped more than 44,000 of Florida’s low-income, at-risk youth by providing scholarships, mentors, and hope. Take Stock in Children utilizes partnerships with 45 local affiliates to deliver its 6th-12th grade programming statewide. Additionally, it provides support for low-income postsecondary students across the state to reach degree attainment or career certification, and to pursue their career goals. Consistently achieving school graduation rates that far exceed the state and national averages, Take Stock in Children is Florida’s flagship and most successful mentoring and scholarship program. To donate, volunteer, or learn about Take Stock in Children, please visit takestockinchildren.org.
