Charleston, SC (June 4, 2026) – HCA Healthcare in the Lowcountry, part of HCA Healthcare, announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Tri- County STEMersion to support immersive, hands-on professional development for STEM educators across the Lowcountry. 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.

“We are proud to support Tri-County STEMersion and its mission to inspire the next generation of professionals,” said Jeff Wilson, President of HCA Healthcare Charleston and CEO for HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital. “By investing in educators and innovative learning experiences, we are helping build a stronger pipeline of future clinicians, scientists and engineers who will improve the health of our community for years to come.”

Tri-County STEMersion brings together educators from across Berkeley County School District, Charleston County School District, Dorchester School District 4 and Dorchester School District Two for an immersive, week-long experience. In 2025, more than 150 STEM educators participated, collaborating with industry leaders to deepen their understanding of real-world applications and develop classroom-ready lesson plans for the upcoming school year.

“We are grateful for the support from the HCA Healthcare Foundation and HCA Healthcare Charleston,” said Michelle McDonald, Deputy Director of Dorchester County Economic Development. “This partnership allows us to equip educators with meaningful industry insights and tools that will directly impact students across the Lowcountry, inspiring them to pursue careers in healthcare and other STEM-related fields.”

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 in the Lowcountry is comprised of HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital, HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital, HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health & Wellness, HCA Healthcare Colleton Hospital, HCA Healthcare CareNow, and numerous freestanding ERs. Across the Lowcountry, HCA Healthcare in the Lowcountry is committed to advancing education, workforce development and community health through strategic partnerships, a robust student shadowing and volunteering programs, and pipeline programs designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“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.

Media Invitation:

HCA Healthcare Foundation Grant Presentation to STEMersion

Monday, June 6 | 8:30am

Lowcountry Conference Center, 406 Sigma Dr, Summerville, SC 29486

About HCA Healthcare Foundation

The mission of the HCA Healthcare Foundation is to promote health and well-being and strive to make a positive impact in all the communities HCA Healthcare serves. The Foundation provides leadership, service and financial support to effective nonprofit organizations working individually and collectively.

About HCA Healthcare in the Lowcountry

As part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, HCA Healthcare in

the Lowcountry is a unified network of hospitals and healthcare services, including HCA

Healthcare Trident Hospital, HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital, HCA Healthcare Live Oak

Mental Health and Wellness, HCA Healthcare Colleton Hospital, HCA CareNow, and numerous

freestanding emergency rooms. Together, they comprise a collaborative healthcare network

focused on expanding access to advanced care while honoring the unique needs of each

community. Having collectively served their communities for more than 120 years, these

hospitals and sites of care are committed to improving health and advancing care across the

Lowcountry.

About Tri-County STEMersion

Tri-County STEMersion provides immersive professional development experiences for STEM

educators, connecting classroom learning with real-world industry applications and empowering

teachers to inspire the next generation of innovators.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelly Bowen, Director, Community Engagement

HCA Healthcare Charleston

[email protected] | (843) 970-5078

All references to “Company,” “HCA” and “HCA Healthcare” as used throughout this

document refer to HCA Healthcare, Inc. and its affiliates.