AUSTIN, TEXAS— St. David’s HealthCare announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Central Texas Allied Health Institute to support student success. The funding is part of the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a $75-million community impact fund announced this year that is designed to support innovative initiatives focused on addressing high-priority community needs and health equity. St. David’s HealthCare is a partnership between HCA Healthcare, St. David’s Foundation and Georgetown Health Foundation.
“We are committed to investing in our community,” David Huffstutler, president and chief executive officer of St. David’s HealthCare, said. “St. David’s HealthCare is proud to announce this grant from our national hospital managing partner, HCA Healthcare, to the Central Texas Allied Health Institute to offer clinical training and support to students during this phase of their education, helping to create affordable, higher education in the allied health fields.”
Central Texas Allied Health Institute aims to provide vulnerable communities with access to a world-class quality education in the areas of allied health at an affordable price. The 18-month grant will help fund a new initiative called “Pathways out of Poverty into Health Careers in Central Texas.” This project provides stipends to students during the clinical portion of their program to help cover living expenses so they can participate in the full-time externship necessary to complete the program. During the clinical portion of the course, students are expected to serve a full-time schedule, often eliminating the ability to work.
“Financial stress is a common barrier to obtaining higher education among the vulnerable populations we serve,” Dr. Jereka Thomas-Hockaday, chief academic officer and dean of specialty programs at the Central Texas Allied Health Institute, said. “This funding will be used to provide extensive wraparound services to students to help alleviate external financial stressors.”
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 2020, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at a cost of more than $3.4 billion and incurred $4.1 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 $45 million to community organizations in 2020.
“HCA Healthcare colleagues are driven by our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Joanne Pulles, president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “That mission extends outside the walls of our facilities and into our communities. Partnering with other organizations has always allowed us to unlock possibilities for improving health and well-being.”
For more information on the HCA Healthcare Foundation, visit HCACaring.org.