We Show Up for Our Communities Week sets HCA Midwest Health Record

Overland Park, Kan. — HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City's largest healthcare provider, hosted its annual colleague volunteer initiative, “We Show Up for Our Communities Week”, which positively impacted the lives of community residents and visitors. Nearly 300 physicians, colleagues and nursing students donated 525 service hours, supporting almost 30 local organizations.

"At HCA Midwest Health, providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to our patients is the foundation of our mission. But we know that as a pillar institution in this community, we also have a responsibility to make a positive impact outside of our walls," said HCA Midwest Health President Keith Zimmerman. “We Show Up for Our Communities Week” is just one of many ways our organization demonstrates how we care for those outside of our facilities, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to health education and equity. Working hand-in-hand with community partners who share our vision for impacting the lives of others is especially rewarding, as together we are stronger and more successful in making a positive, long-term impact in the region."

Several local organizations financially impacted by HCA Midwest Health's ongoing commitment include Kanbe's Markets and Great Jobs KC, each receiving $25,000 in charitable donations from HCA Healthcare Foundation, with Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri also receiving $15,200 from HCA Midwest Health.

In total, HCA Midwest Health's "We Show Up for Our Communities Week" volunteer service hours impact included:

• 7,000+ peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made for Just a Sandwich, shared with 25 organizations that help address food insecurity
• Habitat for Humanity restoration project in Independence
• More than 100 Girl Scouts earned patches while learning the importance of mental health
• 50 meals prepared for Ronald McDonald House family room at Overland Park Regional Medical Center
• 5 barrels of food collected for Community Services League
• 616 rolls of toilet paper collected for Jewish Family Services
• 450 pounds of clothes collected for Big Brothers Big Sisters
• 300 community members joined Research Medical Center's Community Health Block Party for stroke prevention education, free health screenings, interactive events, and more.

"At HCA Healthcare, we believe partnerships are essential to advancing our mission to care for and improve human life," said HCA Healthcare Foundation Vice President of Community Engagement Joanne Pulles. "Partnering with organizations like Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri allows us to do more for our communities than we can do separately."

"We're so grateful for the support of HCA Midwest Health and the HCA Healthcare Foundation for helping provide these critical resources to Girl Scouts," said Interim CEO of Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri Marcela Rodriguez. "Fostering positive mental health habits has always been a focus of our work, but it's needed now more than ever."

"Serving is a passion of mine, and Just A Sandwich is just a small way to help bridge the gap for other local organizations doing big work to help feed anyone hungry," said Just A Sandwich founder Kristena Richey. "I have funded most sandwich makes myself, but corporate sponsorships are starting to enable us to increase our sandwich distribution and create a more significant impact in the community. Just A Sandwich is beginning to gain momentum, and we are so thankful to have the opportunity to partner with a community-minded organization like HCA Midwest Health."