Grand Strand Health announces HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $25,000 grant to local Boys & Girls Club
November 13, 2026
Grand Strand Health, as part of HCA Healthcare, announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 Partnership Cultivation grant to the Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand to help introduce local students to careers in healthcare. The grant will support career exploration and hands-on educational opportunities for students beginning in middle school and continuing through high school.
To celebrate the partnership, representatives from Grand Strand Health and the Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand gathered for a check presentation on Friday, November 13, at the Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand. 
Through this partnership, Grand Strand Health professionals will work alongside the Boys & Girls Club to provide interactive learning experiences that expose students to a variety of healthcare careers. Planned opportunities may include Stop the Bleed training, hands-only CPR instruction and mock trauma response simulations, giving students the chance to learn directly from healthcare experts while developing practical, potentially lifesaving skills.
“Introducing students to healthcare careers at an early age can open doors to opportunities they may not have otherwise considered,” said Mark Sims, Chief Executive Officer of Grand Strand Health. “Through this partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand, we have an opportunity to bring healthcare education to life, connect students with our dedicated medical professionals and inspire the next generation of healthcare workers. We’re proud to support this important investment in the future of our community.”
The partnership is designed to build awareness of the many career pathways available in healthcare while helping students develop confidence, explore their interests and envision future opportunities. By connecting students with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, Grand Strand Health hopes to encourage a lasting interest in healthcare and strengthen the pipeline of future healthcare professionals in the Grand Strand community.
The funding reflects the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations and creating meaningful partnerships that address community needs. Through the Partnership Cultivation grant, Grand Strand Health and the Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand will work together to expand access to educational experiences that support student development and career readiness.
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and generous $25,000 contribution from HCA Healthcare,” said Ryan Grace, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Grand Strand. “Partnerships like this make it possible for the Boys & Girls Club to continue providing a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where young people can learn, grow, build meaningful relationships, and reach their full potential.”
Funding the Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2024, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated care at an estimated cost of $4.4 billion. Additionally, HCA Healthcare contributed more than $48.5 million to community organizations in 2024.
“HCA Healthcare colleagues are driven by our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Virginia Tenpenny, vice president of Community Engagement. “That mission extends outside the walls of our facilities and into our communities. Partnering with other organizations has always allowed us to unlock possibilities for improving health and well-being.”
For more information on the HCA Healthcare Foundation, visit www.hcacaring.org.
