Microsoft & HCA Announce $1.25 Million in Grants for Community Agencies

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and Microsoft Corp. today announced the companies are contributing $1.25 million in software and cash to help Middle Tennessee nonprofit agencies better serve the community.

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Microsoft and HCA also announced finalists for the "Innovation through Technology" grants. The announcements were made at Nashville's Downtown YMCA in a presentation given by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and HCA Chairman and CEO Richard M. Bracken.

During a time when the financial support community agencies depend on has declined, HCA and Microsoft are joining forces on "Innovation through Technology." Through this creative philanthropic alliance, Microsoft will provide $1 million in software, and HCA will contribute $250,000 cash for hardware and related costs to help area community agencies work more effectively on behalf of the people they serve. The grants will be awarded to agencies that focus on the following areas: primary health, youth and children and workforce development. Grant recipients will be announced on March 19.

"As a company with more than 160 hospitals, HCA invests significantly in technology and tools for our caregivers so they can spend more time caring for our patients," said Bracken. "We have a strong, long-standing relationship with Microsoft, and we're pleased to join them in providing Middle Tennessee community agencies advanced technology so they, like our caregivers, are better equipped to serve people in need."

HCA uses Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Exchange Server, in non-clinical areas. Also, HCA's clinical system, which enables HCA employees and caregivers to communicate clinical information among various departments and caregivers, is built on top of a Microsoft Windows-based platform.

In addition, last year Microsoft donated software, including products such as Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Microsoft SharePoint Server, to the YMCA of Middle Tennessee to help the organization improve communication and better serve more than 270,000 people each year in a 12-county area.

"Our not-for-profit charitable organization reaches more than a quarter of a million lives in Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky, and we utilize about 600 workstations to help us deliver a variety of programs and services across our 12-county service area," said Journey Johnson, CEO, YMCA of Middle Tennessee. "The Microsoft SharePoint system, for example, dramatically helped our YMCA reign in thousands of disparate documents, and we're now better able to share important information and maintain document consistency across our association. Thanks to the grant we received, we're able to dedicate even more of our resources to the life-changing work of our mission of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body."

"Microsoft is committed to partnering with Hospital Corporation of America in order to help local nonprofits realize their full potential," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Microsoft has a long-standing relationship with the Nashville community, and we are pleased to offer access to technology as a means to provide better care to local residents."

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About HCA

HCA is a leading provider of healthcare services, composed of locally managed facilities that include 163 hospitals and 105 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and England.

All references to "Company" and "HCA" as used throughout this document refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates.

SOURCE HCA