Special to the Herald

SAVANNAH – The HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to support the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s Wellness Wednesday program. The funding is through the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund focused on addressing high-priority community needs. 

"At HCA Healthcare, we believe partnerships are essential to advancing our mission to care for and improve human life," said Joanne Pulles, president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. The Healthier Tomorrow Fund supports partnerships with health and workforce-related nonprofits along with charities that have evidenced-based programs that address community needs and aligned health focus areas.

Brad Talbert, Memorial Health chief executive officer said, “The Wellness Wednesday program at the YMCA of Coastal Georgia impacts the mission of both organizations’ to improve the lives of our community. This partnership allows us to provide health education on important topics such as heart disease, stroke, fall prevention, cancer prevention and more to YMCA members to help build a healthier community.”

“We at the YMCA of Coastal Georgia are excited and thankful about the partnership that we share with HCA Healthcare, especially as we were awarded $25,000 through the HCA Healthcare Foundation,” said Joel Smoker, YMCA of Coastal Georgia chief executive officer. “This funding will help us strengthen and sustain our wellness programming at all locations, continuing to deliver meaningful health education to the communities we serve.”

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 $50 million to community organizations in 2024.