June 24, 2024 — HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital is pleased to announce that the Education Foundation of Okeechobee will receive $60,000 over the next three years through an initiative funded by the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund. This initiative is part of a broader $1 million donation by the HCA Healthcare Foundation to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) aimed at supporting the Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program.
The HCA Healthcare Foundation’s substantial $1 million donation will be disbursed over three years, benefiting 15 local education foundations across Florida. The Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program, managed by the Consortium, will develop and administer a grant process for local education foundations. These grants will support local projects that create and enhance pathways to healthcare careers, focusing on nursing and allied health tracks. Key activities funded through this program will include work-based learning opportunities, healthcare career exploration activities, and industry certifications.
“We are thrilled to be part of this impactful initiative,” said Brian Melear, CEO of HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital. “By supporting the Education Foundation of Okeechobee, we are investing in the future of healthcare in our community, ensuring that students have the resources and opportunities they need to pursue careers in this vital field.”
HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation have a long-standing history of collaboration with the Consortium and local education foundations in Florida. Their previous partnership on the Explore & Excel in Healthcare Careers program has already made significant contributions by allowing students to visit local hospitals, explore educational pathways to healthcare careers, and engage in hands-on learning with healthcare equipment in classrooms.
The Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program is set to build on this success, further empowering students and strengthening the healthcare workforce pipeline. The Education Foundation of Okeechobee will utilize the $60,000 funding to implement programs that offer practical experiences and certifications, preparing students for successful careers in healthcare.
About HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital Serving Okeechobee County since 1979, HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital is a 100-bed acute care hospital. Specializing in emergency services, minimally-invasive surgery, hip and knee replacement, urology, gastroenterology services, mammography services and occupational, physical and speech therapy, we provide high-quality patient care to Okeechobee residents and the surrounding communities. We hold the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Primary Stroke Center Certification and Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018). Within minutes of FL-710, the hospital’s 24-hour emergency room provides specialized hospital services for adults and children of all ages.
About HCA Healthcare Foundation The HCA Healthcare Foundation, the philanthropic arm of HCA Healthcare, works to improve health and well-being by providing financial support to organizations, initiatives, and programs that align with HCA Healthcare’s mission and values. Through strategic investments and partnerships, the Foundation aims to make a meaningful impact on the communities served by HCA Healthcare.
About the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations is a statewide membership organization that provides a platform for local education foundations to collaborate, share best practices, and advocate for public education. The Consortium’s mission is to enhance student achievement in Florida’s public schools through strategic partnerships and innovative programs.
