In response to Hurricanes Helen and Milton, HCA Florida Healthcare announced a $750,000 donation to community organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of those affected throughout Florida.
The donation will be $250,000 to the United Way of Florida, $250,000 to the Florida Disaster Volunteer Fund, and a gift from our colleagues at HCA Healthcare to United Way of Florida, the American Red Cross, and the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund (our organizational colleagues). A special donation of $250,000 will be provided. We run a co-worker-supported 501(c)3 charity to help co-workers and their immediate families who are experiencing financial hardship.
“The impact of these disasters has had a tremendous impact on our colleagues and communities across Florida. However, our teams are doing incredible work to contribute to the health and safety of our communities. We have responded with diligence, sacrifice, and care. As we continue to provide care to the more than 8.6 million Floridians who rely on us for their health, these gifts and the inter-organizational challenges they cause. Deepening collaboration is another way we can help communities recover and rebuild.”
Joanne Pulles, Vice President of Community Engagement, HCA Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare is one of the state's largest health care networks, employing more than 79,000 people across the state. Many of these employees were directly affected by the storm. More than 1,000 HCA Florida Healthcare colleagues have already received more than $834,000 in Hope Fund donations for personal disaster relief.
Related article: HCA Healthcare donates $1 million to Hurricane Helen disaster relief efforts in North Carolina – HCA Healthcare Today
After each storm, the system provided immediate support to the hospital, helping colleagues respond to their needs to maximize patient care.
More than 150 nurses from across HCA Healthcare traveled to Florida to work shifts at affected hospitals, allowing local staff to care for their homes and families.
Additionally, HCA Florida Healthcare provided:
More than 10,000 cases of food, 11,000 bags of ice, 3,320 cases of water, 10,500 cases of cleaning supplies, 63,000 gallons of fuel for more than 8,100 co-workers, and approximately 200 hotel rooms for evacuated employees. On-site laundry and shower services for co-workers and their families.
These responses are a coordinated effort across HCA Healthcare as part of the Nashville-based Emergency Operations Center (EEOC), a multidisciplinary incident response team of approximately 200 leaders. The EEOC was activated before both hurricanes to ensure hospitals could continue operating and caring for patients during and after the storms. The team pre-positioned resources (including staff, medical supplies, generators, bulk water and fuel supplies, and construction materials) to assist with recovery and repair. As the storm made landfall in Florida, the entire HCA Healthcare enterprise worked together around the clock to ensure the safety of our colleagues and patients.
Response and rebuilding efforts continue across Florida and the Southeast for those affected by Hurricanes Helen and Milton. For more information about the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund or to donate, visit HCAHopeFund.com.
Related article: HCA Healthcare Hope Fund helps more than 56,000 colleagues in time of need – HCA Healthcare Today
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, part of HCA Healthcare, is a group of more than 650 affiliated healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, free-standing emergency rooms, and urgent care centers. Integrated as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare will have approximately 11,000 experienced physicians and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to provide unbiased, evidence-based care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. We provide collaborative treatment based on HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and contributing to the communities we serve. The network has provided more than $848.8 million in unpaid care and donated $2.1 million to community organizations across the state. Additionally, HCA Florida Healthcare provides patients with access to highly trained professionals, including the state's largest cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of medical professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a leading supporter of university-based medical programs, training and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
