HCA Healthcare, Inc., one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, announced that it will give $1.5 million to Tennessee State University (TSU) to create scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute and the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering. This gift is part of the organization’s larger commitment to give $10 million over three years to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Since making the pledge in 2021, HCA Healthcare has announced approximately $5.25 million in donations towards multiple partnerships.
“We are proud of the long-standing relationship we have fostered with TSU,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer for HCA Healthcare. “By strengthening our partnership, we will be able to create additional opportunities for TSU students and further our commitment to advancing diversity in healthcare.”
Funds from this gift will support scholarships for students participating in the university’s Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute Accelerated Medical Pathway program. Three two-year scholarships for rising juniors and three two-year scholarships for graduate students within the College of Engineering will also be awarded. Through these scholarship programs, HCA Healthcare Scholars and HCA Healthcare ITG Scholars will be provided with hands on shadowing opportunities, mentors, seminars, leadership sessions, guest speakers and career guidance. The PTA Guide website says that the demand for physical therapist assistants is increasing due to factors such as an aging population, a rise in chronic health conditions, and a focus on preventive care. These assistants play a crucial role in supporting physical therapists in rehabilitation and healthcare settings.
“It is an honor to partner with TSU to support more students pursuing careers in healthcare and, in turn, helping to build a diverse talent pipeline of healthcare professionals,” said Sherri Neal, chief diversity officer of HCA Healthcare. “Increasing the diversity of our healthcare workforce is vital to providing equitable, culturally competent care to our communities.”
HCA Healthcare has a history of partnering with TSU. In 2015, HCA Healthcare gave $1 million to TSU to fund internship opportunities and support the growth of the Health Information Management program. Marty Paslick, chief information officer for HCA Healthcare, serves as an advisory board member for the College of Engineering where there are currently seven HCA Healthcare colleagues serving as adjunct faculty.
“We applaud and thank HCA Healthcare for this generous gift and continued support of TSU, and our talented students,” said Glenda Glover, president of Tennessee State University. “This investment in our students helps them to become the future doctors and health technology leaders they aspire to be. HCA Healthcare is making their dreams a reality.”
HCA Healthcare is committed to partnering with organizations to help develop a diverse pool of future healthcare leaders. Included among these partnerships is $750,000 to The University of Texas at El Paso to create multiple graduate-degree opportunities for students interested in healthcare careers. The company also gifted $1.5 million to Florida International University’s (FIU) Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences (NWCNHS) to expand its faculty, offer scholarships to increase enrollment and help address the national nursing shortage. In 2021, HCA Healthcare announced a $1.5 million investment in Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Allied Health Sciences to strengthen students’ pathways from undergraduate to graduate to management careers in the healthcare industry. In 2019, the HCA Healthcare Scholars at Fisk University program was created to provide scholarships, career planning support and internship opportunities for high-achieving undergraduates. These partnerships and others with industry- and school-based associations are part of HCA Healthcare’s continued efforts to strengthen the diversity of the organization’s talent pipeline.
