July 10, 2024 – HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is pleased to announce the St. Lucie County Education Foundation 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 support the St. Lucie County Education Foundation in their efforts to cultivate healthcare career pathways for high school students,” said Corey Lovelace, Chief Executive Officer at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital. “We are committed to investing in the future of healthcare within our community, guaranteeing that students are equipped with the necessary resources and opportunities to pursue careers in this crucial field.”
HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation have a strong history of collaboration with the Consortium and its members. HCA Healthcare has partnered with several of Florida’s local education foundations through the Consortium’s Explore & Excel in Healthcare Careers program, which allows students to visit local hospitals for tours and learn more about education pathways that lead to healthcare careers and provides healthcare equipment for hands-on learning 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.
About HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital
HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is a 222-bed acute care facility. The combined efforts of more than 400 skilled physicians and more than 900 dedicated employees have resulted in one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in Port St. Lucie. St. Lucie Hospital offers a full range of services that include a birthing center, cardiac catheterization lab, minimally invasive robotic surgery, gynecologic, general and vascular surgery, and wound care with hyperbaric services. Additionally, St. Lucie is home to a Senior-Friendly ER and Freestanding ER at Darwin Square as well as the Orthopedic & Spine Institute.
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.