HCA Healthcare invests $1.5 million in FAMU’s School of Allied Health Sciences

Florida A&M University students interested in careers in the field of healthcare got a major boost Thursday as HCA Healthcare, Inc., one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, celebrated a new partnership with the university’s School of Allied Health Sciences.

The healthcare giant is donating $1.5 million to the school in what is described as "a gateway for new opportunities for the School of Allied Health Sciences."

These opportunities include attracting more undergraduate and graduate students with money going toward scholarships and internships to attract future healthcare leaders.

FAMU in the news:

• FAMU community, SLU administrators at odds over bad behavior; a grandfather seeks answers

• Giving Tuesday: FAMU seeking donations for statue honoring President Frederick S. Humphries

The funding will also go toward the construction and management of the HCA Florida Healthcare Simulation Laboratory, which will replace the name of the School of Allied Health Sciences Simulation Lab next year.

HCA is endowing $1 million over four years to name the School of Allied Health Sciences Simulation Lab and donating an additional $500,000 over four years to support scholarships and internships.

“The simulation laboratory is a critical component of the HCA-Allied Health Partnership,” said Cynthia Hughes-Harris, dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences. “Simulated learning experiences are one of the strongest tools in existence today through which health students are able to successfully move from the classroom to the clinical environment quickly.”

Hughes-Harris said the simulation laboratory is “a vital resource and providing students the ability to apply hands-on training and classroom setting.”

The four-room, six-bed lab is set up to replicate a hospital experience. Mannequin-based simulations are a critical part of the studies.

“We treat the patients as if they were in the hospital as real patients. All the equipment and supplies that you see are real. If we needed to take care of a real patient we could,” said Mary Simmons, a professor and Director of Cardiopulmonary Science.

"This is a big deal"

Chandrahasa Srinivasa, Jr., a third-year Health Care Management student from St. Petersburg, will receive a $5,600 scholarship. He was among those attending the event outside the FAMU Lewis-Beck School of Allied Health Sciences Building at Palmer Avenue and Bronough Street.

He says his path to the School of Allied Health Sciences was unconventional.

“I was originally a bio/pre-med major. When I figured out that wasn't really going to work with classes and the workflow, I was like I need to find something that is health-related but more so fit to me,” said Srinivasa, attending Thursday. “I did a little research into the School of Allied Health, I saw healthcare management, did more research, asked around and switched my major,” he said.

He was uplifted by his selection as one of the scholarship recipients.

“This has never been done before. It means a lot to me,” he said. “This isn't something new to me because I'm kind of the first recipient of a lot of different scholarships, but this is a big deal.”

He said he believes it will be an incentive for other students enrolled in the school, or those considering enrolling.

FAMU’s School of Allied Health Sciences unique among HBCUs

The school, established in 1982, is divided into five divisions: Cardiopulmonary Science, Health Care Management, Health Informatics and Information Management, Occupational Therapy (which offers a Health Science-Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration) and Physical Therapy (which offers a Health Science-Pre-Physical Therapy concentration).

Walter L. Smith, Sr., president of FAMU from 1977 to 1985, is credited with spearheading the development of the school, among others during his tenure. Smith died last Thursday; he was 86.

Msuperb orator and brilliant storytellerore: Walter L. Smith, Sr., Florida A&M University's seventh president, dies at 86

Earlier this year, the School of Allied Health Sciences was ranked No. 15 for best bachelor’s degrees in health science by the Bachelors Degree Center.

Florida A&M University also is unique in that it has the only accredited Master of Health Administration program among HBCUs, according to the university.

Capital Regional Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare affiliate, and FAMU have a long history of collaboration, including leadership participation on the university's advisory boards and student placement in clinical rotations and healthcare career pathways, the university said in a release.

“The ongoing pandemic reminds us daily of the crucial importance of providing an adequate pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals,” FAMU President Larry Robinson said. “This timely and generous partnership allows FAMU to train more students who will join the frontlines of those fighting to protect America’s health.”

The $1.5 million awarded FAMU is part of HCA Healthcare's larger pledge to donate $10 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions over the next three years.

“This partnership demonstrates our continued efforts in developing a diverse pipeline of healthcare professionals and future leaders which allows us to continue to make a positive impact on the communities we serve,” said Sherri Neal, chief diversity officer of HCA Healthcare.

Contact Democrat writer Shakiria Hopkins at SMHopkins@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M gets $1.5M from HCA Healthcare for health care studies