TAMPA, Fla. (August 8, 2023) – HCA Healthcare West Florida Division hosted an HCA Florida Healthcare Scholarship Recognition Dinner on August 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement. Here 20 University of South Florida (USF) Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students were recognized for being awarded $5,000 scholarships from HCA Florida Healthcare with a LINE funding match from the University of South Florida totaling $10,000 in scholarship dollars for each nursing student. The nursing students began their studies in May 2023 and include:
Anissa Ahmed, Kayla Aska, Kristen Boyd, Dorey Castillo, Jazmine Dehinde-Roberson, Destiny Ducasse, Emily Estrada, Savannah Freeman, Christine Gregory, Maryann Herring, Christina Hon, Azure Kelly, Jurdina Lamour, Brittany Moyse, Kamila Rivera, Abby Robins, Natalie Rosado, Carolina Vargas Marmolejos, Tatum Willingham and Lexie Yarinsky.
“We are excited to support these future nurses and the USF College of Nursing with our shared passion for meeting the growing demand for nurses in our state,” said Leanne Salazar, DNP, MBA, ARNP, CENP, CPPS, CPHQ, FNP-BC, chief nurse executive for HCA Healthcare West Florida Division. “We are also a proud sponsor of the College of Nursing’s free tutoring program for nurse students as we continue to explore new ways to identify and support the next generation of nurses.”
“Our collaboration with HCA Healthcare West Florida Division has addressed many barriers to expanding the nursing workforce,” said Dena Evans, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, professor and vice dean for academic affairs at the USF College of Nursing. “ By removing financial barriers for 20 Accelerated BSN students, expanding access to clinical placement sites with HCA Healthcare West Florida facilities, and extending our academic support capacity, HCA Healthcare West Florida division has demonstrated its trailblazing spirit and commitment to ensuring that our state has the highly skilled and educated nursing workforce needed to care for our growing population.”
HCA Healthcare West Florida Division has committed $800,000 in LINE Fund matching dollars to nursing programs in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties. The LINE Fund was established by the Florida Legislature to encourage collaboration among nursing education programs and health care partners to combat the growing nursing shortage in the state. It provides matching funds to participating programs that partner with health care partners.
In addition to the LINE funding, HCA Healthcare West Florida Division continues to advance its academic partnerships with 19 area nursing schools now in place.
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About HCA Healthcare West Florida Division
HCA Healthcare West Florida Division is part of the HCA Florida Healthcare family providing a complete continuum of high-quality programs and services to meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses throughout west Florida, and caring for more than 1.2 million patients last year. HCA Healthcare West Florida Division includes 15 hospitals, 30 ER locations, 14 ambulatory surgery centers, numerous physician practices, graduate medical education programs, a regional lab, and consolidated service center. HCA Healthcare West Florida is affiliated with HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. With its founding in 1968, HCA Healthcare created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine.
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 and freestanding emergency rooms. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to deliver advanced, collaborative care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provided $848.8 million in uncompensated care and invested significantly in innovative technologies and facilities across Florida, including the new $360 million state-of-the-art, multi-specialty HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, Fla. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.