HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals in Southwest Florida advance community health through volunteerism

Colleagues from five HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals in Southwest Florida recorded more than 452 volunteer hours in April as part of the annual We Show Up for Our Communities campaign, supporting local organizations and addressing critical community needs.

Across HCA Florida Blake Hospital, HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital and HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, 209 colleagues participated in 14 events, representing an estimated $15,783 in community impact based on the current value (PDF). Efforts focused on key drivers of health, including access to food, workforce development, environmental conditions and lifesaving donations.

Partner organizations included Suncoast Blood Centers, OneBlood, LifeLink of Florida, Manatee Technical College, Venice High School, Big Brothers Big Sisters, All Faiths Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Plus, Lehigh Community Services, Venice Area Beautification Inc., the Center of Anna Maria Island and the Pace Center for Girls.

Colleagues helped save lives through blood donation and awareness initiatives, with more than 76 donors contributing to potentially save 222 lives across multiple hospitals. Additional events raised awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation. “Access to a stable blood supply is essential for patient care across our region, and community donors play a vital role in helping us meet that need every day,” said CEO Steve Young, Blake Hospital. 

Teams also worked to address food insecurity, distributing thousands of pounds of food and supporting hundreds of families. Together, the efforts reached 203 families and 463 individuals, providing 4,600 pounds of food, or 3,830 meals. “Health is shaped by more than what happens inside our hospital,” said Kelly Lindsay, CEO of Englewood Hospital. “By supporting access to food and overall stability, we are helping create stronger, healthier communities.”

Colleagues also invested in the future healthcare workforce and local environments, mentoring students, hosting career education sessions and participating in community cleanup efforts. In total, these initiatives engaged dozens of students and volunteers across the region. “When we step into our communities, we’re helping address the everyday factors that influence health and creating more opportunities for people to thrive,” said Joe Rudisill, CEO of Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

These efforts reflect HCA Florida Healthcare’s We Show Up® commitment — improving lives not only through clinical care, but by supporting the overall well-being of the communities it serves.

To learn more about the impact made possible by HCA Florida colleagues, communities and strategic partnerships, visit Our Community Impact.