Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship: Empowering Future Generations in Healthcare and Beyond

The Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship, established by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, supports the educational aspirations of dependent children of HCA Healthcare colleagues. This merit-based scholarship program provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing higher education. Renamed in 2021 to honor the legacy of the late Patricia Frist, a dedicated philanthropist and wife of HCA Healthcare co-founder Dr. Thomas Frist Jr., the scholarship embodies HCA Healthcare's commitment to its people and the communities it serves.

A Legacy of Philanthropy and Support for Education

Patricia Frist's legacy of philanthropy is carried on through this scholarship program, which empowers the next generation to pursue their academic and career goals. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students like Mary Frances Bergeron, a biomedical engineering student at Virginia Tech, and Schubin Chon, a commerce major at the University of Virginia, enabling them to focus on their studies and contribute to society.

Bergeron emphasizes the motivational impact of the scholarship, stating, "Being acknowledged by the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship for my hard work and future potential is incredibly motivating. It fills me with a sense of accomplishment and pride. This scholarship will make pursuing my educational goals more feasible and less stressful."

Chon connects the scholarship to his aspirations, saying, "This award supports my research to discover new ways to eliminate food shortages caused by pests. It also reaffirms my commitment to studying commerce. I hope to combine my expertise in population biology with commerce to benefit our society as a whole. In honoring Patricia Frist’s legacy, I am not only dedicated to being a passionate student but also an active and engaged member of my community."

Eligibility Requirements for the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship

To be eligible for the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their parent's employment status, their own academic standing, and their enrollment plans. These requirements ensure that the scholarship supports the educational goals of deserving students connected to the HCA Healthcare community.

Employment Status of the Qualifying Employee

The qualifying employee, who is the parent or legal guardian of the applicant, must have a minimum of 90 days of employment with an HCA Healthcare affiliate as of February 15, 2026. This requirement ensures that the scholarship benefits those with a demonstrated connection to HCA Healthcare.

Definition of a Dependent Child

A "dependent child" is defined as a biological child, stepchild, or legally adopted child living in the employee's household or primarily supported by the employee. This definition clarifies the relationship between the employee and the applicant. Children of employees with the title of Corporate Senior Vice President and above are ineligible for the scholarship.

Academic Status of the Applicant

Applicants must meet one of the following academic status requirements:

A high school senior, graduating no later than June 30, 2026.
A high school graduate who has not yet enrolled in undergraduate study.
A current undergraduate student.

Enrollment Plan

Applicants must plan to enroll full-time (typically 12 credit hours) in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited, not-for-profit two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the United States. They must also remain enrolled for the entire 2026-27 academic year.

Previous scholarship recipients are eligible to apply even though their parent or guardian may no longer be employed by an HCA Healthcare affiliate. The "not-for-profit" status of the institution will be confirmed using the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator tool. The College Navigator must display an Institution Type of ‘Not-for-Profit’ or ‘Public’ for the institution to be eligible.

Read also: Process Intensification Explained

Scholarship Award Details

Selected recipients of the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship will receive an award ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. Awards are renewable for up to three additional years or until completion of an undergraduate degree, whichever occurs first. The scholarship is for undergraduate study only. Children of employed physicians may require additional review.

Selection Process

Scholarship recipients are selected based on a variety of factors, including academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, unusual personal or family circumstances, and work experience. Preference will be given to first-generation college students and students pursuing STEM majors.

Financial data is reviewed to determine the amount of each award, ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. Recipients whose parents choose not to supply the requested financial information or do not demonstrate financial need, as calculated by ISTS, will be eligible to receive an award of $2,000.

Selection of recipients is made by ISTS (International Scholarship and Tuition Services). In no instance does any officer or employee of the HCA Healthcare Foundation or HCA Healthcare play a part in the selection. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.

Payment of Scholarships

ISTS processes scholarship funds on behalf of the HCA Healthcare Foundation.

Additional HCA Healthcare Programs Supporting Education and Career Development

Beyond the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship, HCA Healthcare invests in its people through various programs designed to support education and career development. These initiatives demonstrate HCA Healthcare's commitment to fostering a skilled and engaged workforce. These programs include tuition assistance and student loan assistance.

Tuition Assistance Program

Through the tuition assistance program, eligible colleagues may receive reimbursement for higher education expenses. In 2024, 11,000 colleagues received $42.1 million in tuition assistance.

Student Loan Assistance Program

For eligible colleagues who have completed degrees, the student loan assistance program provides monthly support to help repay student loans.

Workforce Development Programs

HCA Healthcare also offers workforce development programs to help colleagues advance their careers. Dana Shearer, director of Diagnostic Imaging at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, highlights the benefits of these programs, particularly in the field of imaging. The hospital switched from its homegrown career development program to one of HCA Healthcare’s workforce development programs specializing in helping radiologic technologists become computed tomography technologists because of the shorter timeline and great results. Participants were engaged in pre-recorded and live sessions and knew what to study.

Apprenticeship Programs

HCA Healthcare partners with organizations like the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) to offer apprenticeship programs. Lexi White, who participated in a phlebotomy apprenticeship program, emphasizes the value of these programs for those interested in healthcare.

Application Information

The Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship program application period will re-open in January 2026. Interested applicants can create a Scholarships360 account to confirm their eligibility and receive updates on the application process.

tags: #patricia #frist #memorial #scholarship #requirements