HCA Florida Pinellas County hospitals announce Healthcare Foundation's $25,000 grant to Reach St. Pete

New Health Equity Catalyst Grants help to advance health equity efforts

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – HCA Florida Healthcare  announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Reach St. Pete, Inc. to advance health equity work in multiple facets, as part of its new Health Equity Catalyst Grant Program. The funding is through the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund with an initial investment of $75 million focused on addressing high- priority community needs and health equity. 

“We are so pleased to support Reach St. Pete’s work providing diverse and nutritious food options in food insecure areas, and applaud their commitment to improving the health of our community through creating equitable  access to nutrient rich food, nutrition education and community resources.” says Jyric Sims, president of HCA Healthcare’s West Florida Division.

Reach St. Pete is a local charitable organization on a mission to prevent and alleviate homelessness, low-income and at-risk situations in Pinellas County. They do this through wrap-around services that bridge the gap between people and the resources they need including food, basic necessities, housing, education, and more.

"We're honored to be a recipient of the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund Health Equity Catalyst Grant. This $25,000 award allows us to provide a truly dignified, equitable, and accessible way for those struggling with social determinants of health to get fresh, free, nutritious groceries without taking from any benefits like WIC or SNAP. With a focus on cultural competence, impactful programs, collaboration and addressing root causes, this grant propels us towards a healthier, more equitable future. We are grateful that the HCA Healthcare Foundation is genuinely committed to the care and improve human life in equitable ways!"  says Alexia Morrison, Executive Director of Reach St. Pete.

Launched in August 2023, the Health Equity Catalyst Grant provides a one-time operating grant to support organizations and collaboratives addressing health inequities in a defined focus area in order to advance or accelerate efforts to:

• Provide culturally and structurally competent services, 
• Advance high-impact health equity programming,
• Support collaborative health equity efforts, and/or 
• Address root causes of health inequities.

Funding the Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2022, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. Additionally, HCA Healthcare continues to invest in the ongoing education and development of its colleagues and, as an enterprise, contributed $44.2 million to community organizations in 2022.

“Improving access to healthy, nutritious food is a key component to advancing health equity, an important goal for HCA Healthcare,” said Joanne Pulles, vice president of community engagement at HCA Healthcare and president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “We’re privileged to partner with local nonprofits fighting food insecurity, through our Health Equity Catalyst Grants, to help bring healthier tomorrows to the communities we serve.”

For more information on the HCA Healthcare Foundation, visit HCAcaring.org.

About HCA Healthcare Foundation

The mission of the HCA Healthcare Foundation is to promote health and well-being and strive to make a positive impact in all the communities HCA Healthcare serves. We accomplish this mission by providing leadership, service and financial support to effective non-profit organizations working individually and collectively.

About Reach St. Pete

Reach St. Pete is a 501c3 nonprofit on mission to prevent and alleviate homelessness, low-income, and at-risk situations in Pinellas County by bridging the gap between people and resources. Our vision is that everyone has access to the resources they need to obtain a better life.  For More Information about Reach St. Pete, visit ReachStPete.org or follow us on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.