HCA Healthcare Strengthens Partnership with Tennessee State University

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, today 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. HCA Healthcare will also offer dedicated internship opportunities in the ITG Pathways, Technical Resident and Part-Time Internship programs annually to TSU students.

“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.