Glen Allen student among 36 to earn HCA scholarship
Table of Contents
A Glen Allen student is among 36 recipients of the HCA Healthcare Foundation's Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship, a program that offers the one-year scholarships (totaling $112,000 this year) to HCA Virginia colleague dependents.
The merit-based scholarship fund recognizes the work of the late Patricia Frist, a longtime philanthropist in Nashville, Tennessee, and wife of HCA Healthcare co-founder Thomas Frist Jr. Through the program, eligible dependents of HCA Healthcare colleagues can receive merit-based higher education scholarships of up to $5,000 a year.
To date, the Patricia Frist Memorial Scholarship has awarded more than $15 million dollars in scholarships to dependents of HCA Healthcare colleagues.
Among them this year: Addison Zacharias, a Glen Allen High School graduate and current sophomore majoring in musical theatre at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
“When I learned that I had received this scholarship, I was incredibly thankful and proud,” she 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, is a speech language pathologist at HCA Healthcare’s Chippenham Hospital and helped teacher 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 Zacharias 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 Zacharias 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,” she said. “She’s such a hard worker . . . and this scholarship is a wonderful way to showcase all she has to offer.”
The scholarship program helps HCA give back in a meaningful way to family members of its employees, HCA Healthcare Capital Division President William Lunn said.
"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," he said. "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."
