HCA Healthcare Foundation names 36 Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship recipients in Virginia
The HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded 36 one-year scholarships, totaling $112,000, to HCA Virginia colleague dependents. The merit-based scholarships support the educational goals of colleagues’ dependent children across HCA Virginia’s 14 hospitals. Established and funded by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, these scholarships empower eligible students to pursue post-secondary education.
"At HCA Healthcare, we not only care for our patients, but we care like family for each other and are deeply invested in our people through a number of programs," said Dr. William Lunn, president of HCA Healthcare Capital Division. "We are proud to help support the educational goals of our colleagues’ family members with the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship. Through this program, we are helping the next generation pursue and advance their careers."
To date, the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship has awarded more than $15 million dollars in scholarships to dependents of HCA Healthcare colleagues.
The scholarship program was renamed the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship in 2021 to honor the late Patricia Frist, a longtime philanthropist in Nashville, Tennessee, and wife of HCA Healthcare co-founder Dr. Thomas Frist Jr. Through this program, eligible dependents of HCA Healthcare colleagues can receive merit-based higher education scholarships of up to $5,000 a year.
Addison Zacharias, a sophomore majoring in Musical Theatre at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, is a recipient of the scholarship that allows Patricia Frist’s legacy to live on.
“When I learned that I had received this scholarship, I was incredibly thankful and proud,” Addison said. “I immediately felt thankful for all of my family, mentors and loved ones that have helped me get to where I am today.”
Her mother, Melissa Zacharias, a speech language pathologist at HCA Healthcare’s Chippenham Hospital, has been one of Addison’s strongest supporters. Through her own career caring for others, Melissa has also taught Addison lessons that extend beyond the stage.
“My mom always taught me to see the good in people, and to remind myself that I never know what someone is going through,” Addison said. “Through this mindset, I found patience for not only others, but also myself. It allowed me to give myself the same grace that I was taught to give to others.”
Melissa is equally proud of her daughter’s determination and talent.
“I have great pride in Addison’s ability to express herself in ways that highlight her strengths,” Melissa explained. “She’s such a hard worker, and this scholarship is a wonderful way to showcase all she has to offer.”