At HCA Healthcare, our compassion extends beyond patient care to our more than 309,000 colleagues, and extends to being there for each other in difficult times. Through the generosity of our colleagues, the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund ensures that our colleagues do not have to face challenges alone. Hope Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity run by colleagues for colleagues. People who donate to the Hope Fund help co-workers and their families who are facing financial hardship due to natural disaster, illness or injury, domestic violence, death of a loved one, or other unexpected circumstances.
On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helen made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing intense winds, rain, and storm surge. This hurricane is the strongest hurricane ever to impact the Big Bend region of Florida and is currently moving through the southern United States. Healthcare colleagues affected by Hurricane Helen can visit the Hope Fund website to learn more and apply for assistance. Please also consider supporting impacted colleagues by donating to the Hope Fund (www.HCAHopeFund.com).
“At HCA Healthcare, we care for each other like family,” said Jen Velez, HCA Healthcare’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Thanks to the Hope Fund, we are able to provide a support system for our colleagues during life's most difficult moments. It is our hope that families at HCA Healthcare can rely on us in their time of need. And your collective gift to our fund will make that possible.”
The Hope Fund's founding story exemplifies the dedication of HCA Healthcare and our colleagues to care for our patients, our communities, and each other. After hundreds of colleagues in Florida were affected by a devastating hurricane in 2004, HCA Healthcare colleagues across the country donated to help those affected. What started as an informal way to help quickly evolved into the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund. In 2005, the Hope Fund stepped up its efforts and when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, HCA Healthcare donated an additional $4 million to help colleagues in need in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Since its inception, the Hope Fund has supported more than 56,000 HCA healthcare families with more than $109 million in emergency funds to overcome life's most unexpected challenges. So far in 2024, we have distributed $8 million in support to our colleagues through more than 3,300 grants. Each grant represents a colleague and their family whose life was changed by the donor's kindness.
As HCA Healthcare celebrates Hope Fund Week 2024, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our colleagues who are always making a difference in the lives of patients and their colleagues. Below, read stories of hope from colleagues who are always grateful for the generosity of their colleagues.
Texas NICU nurse finds hope after son's diagnosis
As a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas, HCA Healthcare colleague Kendra Bauer cares for some of the smallest and most frail patients. Kendra is a wife and mother of two children, Renee, 7, and Clark, 3.
Throughout her life, Clark has faced developmental challenges, including difficulty walking, wearing leg braces, and requiring speech, physical, and occupational therapy. One day, Kendra noticed what appeared to be strange insect bites on her back and wanted to get it checked out. That's when Kendra learned that the mark on Clark's body was a potentially cancerous tumor right near his spine.
Because of Clark's age and the location of the tumor, removing it required specialized care at a facility two and a half hours away from her home. His care costs, travel expenses, and unpaid work leave for Kendra and her husband placed a financial burden on the family. Fortunately, Kendra remembered about the Hope Fund and applied for assistance. Shortly after, she received word that her family would receive a grant to help them get through this difficult time.
“The whole experience changed my life forever,” Kendra said. “The Hope Fund helped us find peace during a time of extreme fear. We are forever grateful for the love and support of our HCA Healthcare family.” Post-surgery, Ms. Clark 's family received the incredible news that the tumor was not cancerous. Today, Kendra says: “He's walking, he's running, he's doing great!” You'll never know what he's been through. ”
Longtime Missouri Hope Fund donor receives support
HCA Healthcare colleague Brandi Hammontree, manager of oncology data and accreditation at HCA Midwest Health's Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, experienced syncope earlier this year. , was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Brandy's condition required extensive medical care.
After Brandy's diagnosis, her husband, David, came into contact with a hole in the snow and had a terrible accident. David's accident left him with a punctured lung, broken ribs and a shattered shoulder.
The cost of caregiving and unpaid time off from work created an unexpected financial burden for the couple. Brandi dreaded going to the mailbox anticipating the ever-growing pile of bills.
Brandi, who has been donating to the Hope Fund for years, decided to apply for assistance. The idea of applying didn't cross her mind at first, but she's glad she did. When Brandi learned that help was available, she felt like she could breathe again. “It was an incredible weight lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “Thank you is not enough. This felt like a hug from the entire organization!”
Hope Fund helps Texas colleagues after apartment fire
Ariel Richardson joined the HCA Healthcare family this year as the lactation coordinator for our Texas affiliate, Medical City Dallas. In her role, she supported new mothers and their babies and gained valuable experience towards her dream of becoming a lactation consultant.
A few months into her new role, Ariel returns home to find her apartment building on fire and her unit filled with smoke. Her house was no longer habitable and she had to get rid of the living room furniture due to smoke damage.
Negotiations with the apartment complex and the renter's insurance company were difficult. Her apartment agreed to let her move to another room, but only if she could pay the first month's rent in advance. Ariel didn't know what to do because the unexpected expenses, plus utility bills and other moving costs, were more than she could afford. She then recalled learning about the Hope Fund during new employee orientation.
Thanks to the help Ariel received, she was able to move into a safe new home and replace some of her belongings. Ariel said, “I'm really grateful. I'm very grateful.'' “It gave me peace and hope. I felt like I wasn't alone.”
Hope Fund helps Florida colleagues get back on their feet after a fall
Ericka Graves is a certified nursing assistant at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital in Ocala, Florida, where she has been with the hospital for nearly six years. She plays an important role on the care team working with patients and nurses at HCA Healthcare.
Recently, Erica was enjoying some quality time with her daughter at a waterfall when she slipped on a wet rock and fell. Her ankle was fractured and her shoulder developed an impingement, severely limiting her range of motion. Suddenly, Erika lost her job for three months, leaving her with no salary to support her single-income household.
“I was behind on my bills. I was afraid of losing everything I had,” Erika recalls. “I worked hard to maintain my credit, but I fell into depression.” A colleague told her about the Hope Fund and encouraged her to apply for help.
Everything changed when Erika learned that help was on the way. “I was so excited that I burst into tears,” she said. “We were able to pay our mortgage and bills, which was amazing.” Erika wants her colleagues to know that the Hope Fund is real and available and to not give up when things get tough. I think I want it.
“Help is possible. Just knowing that help is available gives us so much hope.”
Ericka Graves, Certified Nursing Assistant, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital
Texas colleague receives support from Hope Fund while caring for husband after stroke
HCA Healthcare colleague Celeste Diaz is a rate entry specialist at our affiliate Methodist Hospital Stone Oak in San Antonio, Texas. Earlier this year, my husband, Ben, started feeling unusually tired. That, combined with the drooping on the right side of her face that Celeste noticed, was cause for concern. “I knew he needed immediate treatment,” she said.
Doctors determined that Ben had suffered a stroke. The next day, he felt numbness on the other side of his body and was admitted to the hospital again. This event was followed by many doctor's visits and physical therapy sessions. While serving as Ben's primary caregiver, Celeste had to take time off from work, and the bills began to pile up.
Celeste knew of a colleague who had previously received support from the Hope Fund, so she decided to apply for support as well. When she and Ben received assistance, she said: “We both started crying, which gave us time to think about our next steps. The Hope Fund gives so much hope to people in difficult situations.”
Ben's condition is currently stable, he has completed treatment and is improving day by day. Thanks to the generous donations of our colleagues to the Hope Fund, we can continue to support families like Celeste and Ben.
Related Article: HCA Healthcare Announces HCA Healthcare Hope Fund Awarding $100 Million in Grants to Colleagues in Need – HCA Healthcare Today
