News Details

HCA Announces National 2011 Frist Humanitarian Awards Recipients

May 21, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HCA (NYSE:HCA) today announced the recipients of the 2011 Frist Humanitarian Awards. Kelli Jantz, a Registered Nurse and Transplant Program Coordinator at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, the late Richard R. “Dick” Adams, Jr., a volunteer at Rose Medical Center in Denver, and Dr. Frank Cirisano, a specialist in gynecologic cancer at Aventura Hospital & Medical Center in Aventura, Fla., are recipients of the national awards that recognize an HCA employee, volunteer and physician each year. They received the awards 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 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.

“The Frist Humanitarian Awards celebrate individuals whose achievements are an inspiration for all HCA caregivers, volunteers and employees, and reinforces our most important values,” said HCA chairman and CEO Richard M. Bracken. “To be sure, it is our culture that will enable our company to be as successful over the next 40 years as it has been during our first 40 years.”

Dr. Frank Cirisano, a specialist in gynecologic cancer at Aventura Hospital & Medical Center in Aventura, Fla., was honored for his leadership in recruiting and training volunteer teams that aid ovarian cancer patients and train healthcare staffs on safe and effective care in impoverished regions worldwide. Their work is funded through the Women’s Cancer Care Foundation, a public 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation Dr. Cirisano founded. The foundation’s mission is to provide women with knowledge about the risks, prevention, early detection and treatment of gynecologic cancer and empower them to become the best advocates for their health. The Foundation also funds international externships and women’s health and human rights projects.

Kelli Jantz, RN, a nurse and Transplant Program Coordinator at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, worked tirelessly to educate others to prevent and reduce youth concussions after her son Jake died from injuries sustained in a high school football game. For nearly a decade, Jantz told Jake’s story to thousands of parents, athletes, coaches, medical professionals and legislators. In January 2012, Colorado passed a bill known as the “Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act.” Hailed as the most far-reaching law to reduce concussions among youths, “Jake’s Law” requires coaches of organized youth athletic activities to complete an annual concussion education program. It also has guidelines on removing young athletes from play after a blow to the head or body, and requiring clearance from a healthcare professional in order to return to play.

The late Richard R. “Dick” Adams, Jr. was a dedicated hospital volunteer who took on numerous assignments and community leadership roles for more than a decade at Rose Medical Center in Denver. Whether staffing the main information desk, volunteering at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center or assisting patients at Cherry Creek Eye Clinic, his warmth, sincerity and genuine interest in his fellow man put many patients and family members at ease during life’s scariest moments. After Adams’ death in February 2012, he was remembered as someone whose mission in life was to never have a bad day and make certain no one else does either. Adams’ son Craig accepted the award on behalf of the family, which includes his daughter, Jean Warren, a third-generation Rose Medical Center volunteer.

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

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