HCA Announces 42nd Annual Frist Humanitarian Awards Recipients

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

HCA HCA today announced the recipients of its 42^nd annual Frist Humanitarian Awards, the company's highest honor. Amanda Bohannon, a critical care unit nurse at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Ga., Branton “Brant” T. Chill, a volunteer at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Okla., and Dr. Harry McCoy III, an oncologist and hematologist at LewisGale Hospital – Montgomery in Virginia are recipients of the national awards that recognize an HCA employee, volunteer and physician each year. They were presented with the award today at a ceremony in Nashville.

Established in 1971, the awards honor outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities. The Frist Humanitarian Awards are given annually in recognition of the caring spirit and philanthropic work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., a founder of HCA. Employees, volunteers and medical staff members who demonstrate commitment and dedication to providing outstanding care and humanitarianism are selected from around the country, and honorees are recognized at the local level. The three national recipients were selected from more than 200 hospital-level honorees.

The Frist Humanitarian Awards include a $5,000 donation to the charity of the recipient's choice and $5,000 in cash for the employee and volunteer. The medical staff honoree receives a $10,000 donation to their charity of choice.

“Every year, the Frist Humanitarian Awards honors three individuals who embody the values of HCA and its founder, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr., for whom the Award is named,” said HCA president and chief executive officer R. Milton Johnson. “We are proud to recognize Amanda, Brant and Dr. McCoy for their selfless dedication to bettering the lives of others, as our colleagues throughout the HCA system endeavor to do every day.”

When Amanda Bohannon, the employee recipient of the 2013 Frist Humanitarian Awards, started at Redmond Regional as an administrative assistant nine years ago, she was a single mother of two, including a disabled, terminally-ill daughter. Despite her challenges, she reached out to others in need and became active with Make-A-Wish, an organization that made her daughter Marlowe's dream trip to Disney World come true. Amanda also served as a United Way volunteer and assisted with many hospital-related events. When she lost Marlowe in 2012 after fighting Sanfilippo Syndrome for 14 years, Amanda established The Sweet Cocoon, a foundation working to build a respite house for families with disabled or seriously ill children. She also returned to school, and today she is remarried and is a registered nurse in Redmond Regional's critical care unit.

Brant Chill, the volunteer recipient of the 2013 Frist Humanitarian Awards, is a firefighter, husband and father, in addition to his volunteer role at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center. At the hospital, he holds babies, talks to teens, and tells stories to and plays games with children—anything to make young patients feel less alone. When he heard a long-term OU Medical Center patient was a Superman fan, he bought a costume for the young man. After the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes, he put in a 48-hour shift as a first responder. The next day, he served a full shift as a volunteer at the hospital. Brant's dedication to volunteering extends beyond his service to OU Medical Center patients. He coordinates an annual food drive for the Spero Project, a local Christian organization that serves under-resourced populations, and he collects gifts and food to distribute during Christmas.

Dr. Harry McCoy, the physician recipient of the 2013 Frist Humanitarian Awards, is board certified in oncology, hematology, internal medicine, hospice and palliative care. He has become appreciated throughout the New River Valley over the years for the time and attention he gives his patients. Beyond treating cancer patients medically, Dr. McCoy has devoted decades to helping them and their families cope with the psychological and emotional aspects of the disease. He served as a hospice director for many years, and through his work with the Palliative Care Partnership of the New River Valley, he helps educate healthcare professionals and the community about end-of-life care. In addition to his own practice, Dr. McCoy is a founding member of Sojourn Center, a community based, not-for-profit hospice expected to open this year.

For more information about the 2013 Frist Humanitarian Awards recipients, please visit www.HCATodayBlog.com or click here.

All references to “Company” and “HCA” as used throughout this document refer to HCA Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.