Nonprofits in the news: Hospitals announce $60K grant to local education foundation

From left are Rev. Eric Cummings, Vice-Chair Lori Conrad, Sarah James, Meghan Magamoll, Alan Keesee, Denise Kendust, Norma Reyna, Kaitlyn Wilson-Butler, Allison Campbell, Diane Gullet, Cassandra Boston and Nancy Thrower, [Photo courtesy HCA Florida Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital]
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital recently announced that 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.
The money will help fund the foundation’s Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program, which helps create and expand healthcare career pathways for economically disadvantaged high school students across the state, the news release stated.
The Public Education Foundation of Marion County was awarded $60,000 over the next three years to support students at Belleview, Lake Weir, North Marion and West Port high schools. The funding will provide students opportunities to delve into healthcare careers through specialized training, clinical experience, preparation for certification exams, and internships and externships. The project will also result in new levels of engagement between HCA Florida Healthcare and the district focusing on improving students’ healthcare certification completion rate.
“The future healthcare professionals of tomorrow are currently studying in our local schools, and we are committed to assisting students aspiring to pursue a healthcare career in the north central Florida area,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, in the release. “We are dedicated to fostering healthier tomorrows for our communities, and a key aspect of this mission is supporting local talent development.”
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Needs Study estimates a shortage of approximately 463,000 healthcare workers by the end of 2024. Through the Career Pathways to a Healthier Florida program, the consortium develops and manages a grant process that allows local education foundations to apply for funds to support projects that foster healthcare career pathways. The program will fund 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, the release noted.
“We are thrilled to launch this partnership with HCA Healthcare Foundation and our local HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals,” said Meghan Magamoll, executive director of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, in the release. “Their investment not only aims to better equip students for careers in healthcare fields, but also addresses the increasing demand for a skilled healthcare workforce in our community.”
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital sponsors the HCA Jumpstart to Healthcare Scholarship for seven high school seniors, the Take Stock in Children program, scholarships for HOSA national conference, West Port High School’s school business partner, College Park Elementary, a Community Partnership School with United Way of Marion County, Mission Bus Brigade School Supply Drive sponsored by the Marion County Public Schools Homeless/Needy Children Program, and Thank A Teacher award, which celebrates outstanding teachers in Marion County.
To learn more about the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, go to pefmc.org