UCF Lake Nona Hospital announces $60,000 grant to Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

Orlando, Fla. – UCF Lake Nona Hospital, part of HCA Florida Healthcare, today announced the HCA Healthcare Foundation, through its Healthier Tomorrow Fund, will donate $1 million over the next three years to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations to help fund its Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program. This statewide initiative aims to prepare students for in-demand healthcare roles through enhanced healthcare academy offerings.

As part of this grant, the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools was awarded $60,000 over the next three years to support Central Florida students through increased access and opportunities to healthcare careers. HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest healthcare provider, has a long history of providing healthcare pathways for our students.

“We stand behind the good work being done in our Orange County Public Schools and are proud to walk alongside and help support our extraordinary teachers, staff and leadership to shape the future of our City Beautiful,” said Wendy Brandon, chief executive officer of UCF Lake Nona Hospital. “We are dedicated to fostering healthier tomorrows for our communities, and a key aspect of this mission is supporting Central Florida students.”

According to a recent study by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the state is facing a deficit of approximately 463,000 healthcare workers. Through the Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program, the Consortium develops and manages a grant process which allows local education foundations to apply for funds to support projects that foster healthcare career pathways. The program is funding 15 local education foundations in Florida over the next three years, focusing on activities that lead to nursing or allied health tracks and include work-based learning, healthcare career exploration activities and industry certifications.   

HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation have a strong history of collaboration with the Consortium and its members. HCA Healthcare has also partnered with several of Florida’s local education foundations through the Consortium’s Explore & Excel in Healthcare Careers program. This program allows students to visit local hospitals for tours and learn more about healthcare careers and provides healthcare equipment for hands-on learning. HCA Florida Healthcare colleagues are also active as board members and volunteers with local education foundations.

UCF Lake Nona Hospital supports Orange County Public School students through its biannual Mini Medical University, a hands-on learning program for high school students interested in learning about careers in medicine. HCA Healthcare also provides nurse education days, providing training and continuing education in support of OCPS nurses; sponsors and hosts High School Career Express for 100 high school students annually through CareerSource Central Florida; supports students and teachers through annual We Show Up for our Community School Supply Drives benefitting A Gift for Teaching; and provides Stop the Bleed and CPR training to local schools.