Contributed
In this season of giving, HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals in the greater Orlando area are grateful to be able to support the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, HOPE Helps Food Pantry and hurricane response for Jamaica, with a donation of more than 2,000 pounds of food last month collected by our colleagues to help communities in need. Participating hospitals include Oviedo Medical Center, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, UCF Lake Nona Hospital and HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital.
“We’re grateful for HCA’s long- standing partnership in the fight against hunger. This collaborative effort will ensure children, families and seniors have the nutritious food they need to thrive this holiday season and into the new year,” said Dan Samuels, director of philanthropy, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
As part of HCA Healthcare’s 5th annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food & Nutrition Drive, the HCA Healthcare Foundation and hospital colleagues throughout the state provide thousands of nutritious meals by donating food and making financial contributions to help purchase perishable items such as milk, fruit and vegetables.
“At a time of increasing need for many families, HCA Florida Healthcare colleagues are grateful for the opportunity to contribute toward a healthier tomorrow for our neighbors, and for families on the long road to recovery from Hurricane Melissa,” said Cullen Brown, HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital. “Our annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food & Nutrition Drive provides a timely reminder of the importance of healthy eating and having access to nutritious food all year long.”
Here in the U.S., more than one in seven Americans lack consistent access to nutritious food, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food insecurity is associated with a higher risk of multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health concerns and other chronic diseases.
For more information about how HCA Healthcare is working to support nutrition security in the communities we serve, please visit this link.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
