Grand Strand Health Announces HCA Healthcare Foundation's $25,000 Grant to United Way of Horry County

Grand Strand Health, as part of HCA Healthcare, has announced that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to United Way of Horry County to help implement the Healthy Communities Institute (HCI) Platform, a shared, public-facing data system that offers real-time, localized data on health, social, and economic indicators. 

The HCI Platform will provide the community with a centralized system to align strategies, identify disparities, and measure progress across efforts to improve health, education, and social well-being in Horry County. The funding is part of the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund with an initial investment of $75 million focused on addressing high-priority community needs. 

"Strong communities are built through collaboration, and this investment reflects our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of Horry County," said Mark Sims, chief executive officer of Grand Strand Health. “When communities have a shared understanding of their greatest needs, they're better equipped to work together and create meaningful, lasting change. We're proud to support United Way of Horry County through the HCA Healthcare Foundation's Healthier Tomorrow Fund as we continue working together to build a healthier future for everyone in Horry County."

United Way of Horry County’s (UWHC) primary services focus on improving quality of life by connecting people to resources, funding impactful programs, and coordinating community-wide efforts across four key areas: education, health, financial stability, and basic needs. UWHC has maintained a strong and longstanding relationship with HCA Healthcare affiliated entities, particularly Grand Strand Medical Center, since its establishment in our community in 1978. Both organizations share a common commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring residents have access to the services and resources needed to thrive.

“We are so grateful to the HCA Healthcare Foundation for this investment in Horry County,” said Blakely Roof, president and chief executive officer at United Way of Horry County. “This investment allows us to turn data into action. This platform will give our entire community, nonprofits, healthcare partners, and local government alike, a shared, real-time view of where the greatest needs are, so we can direct resources where they matter most and measure the difference we're making together.”

Funding 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 $48.5 million to community organizations in 2024. 

“HCA Healthcare colleagues are driven by our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Virginia Tenpenny, vice president of Community Engagement. “That mission extends outside the walls of our facilities and into our communities. Partnering with other organizations has always allowed us to unlock possibilities for improving health and well-being.” 

For more information on the HCA Healthcare Foundation, visit www.hcacaring.org.