Wichita, KA —Wesley Healthcare, part of HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA), one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, today announced that it has been recognized for the 13th time by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies. HCA Healthcare is one of only four honorees in the Healthcare Providers category this year.
“To again receive this acknowledgement as a World’s Most Ethical Company affirms that every one of our colleagues is committed to doing what is right each day for our patients,” said Bill Voloch, President and CEO of Wesley Healthcare. “The integrity by which we are known is due to the selfless care that our colleagues provide and we are deeply grateful for this honor.”
In 2022, HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation donated more than $44 million to community organizations across the country, and HCA Healthcare colleagues logged more than 143,800 hours spent volunteering. In 2022, the HCA Healthcare Foundation continued to support the Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund focused on addressing high-priority community needs and advancing health equity. Since its launch in 2021, the Fund has committed more than $18.3 million in communities where HCA Healthcare has a presence, and granted awards to 51 nonprofit partners including the American Heart Association, Girl Scouts of the USA and Educate Texas. In addition, HCA Healthcare provided uncompensated care in 2022 at an estimated cost of approximately $3.5 billion.
HCA Healthcare is committed to providing equitable access to high-quality care for patients and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace for its colleagues.
- As part of that commitment, HCA Healthcare formed the Health Equity Council in January 2021 and the Patient Advisory Group in 2022 to help identify and address health disparities within and outside of HCA Healthcare hospitals, as well as to develop strategies that advance health equity.
- In 2022, the company was recognized with the Best for Vets award for the third consecutive year from Military Times and as a military-friendly employer by VIQTORY for the 12th consecutive year.
- HCA Healthcare was also recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion,” receiving a top score of 100 on the 2022 Disability Equality Index®, a comprehensive tool for measuring disability workplace inclusion.
- HCA Healthcare and its facilities are members of Practice Greenhealth, which seeks to provide sustainable healthcare solutions. Since 2002, HCA Healthcare has received 171 Practice Greenhealth awards.
- The company has also announced approximately $6.8 million towards its $10 million commitment over three years to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to strengthen the diversity of the company and invest in the next generation of healthcare leaders.
HCA Healthcare continued its work to combat the nation’s opioid crisis last year. In October 2022, the company hosted its fourth annual “Crush the Crisis” national opioid take back day, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, during which 19,423 pounds of unused or expired medications were collected at more than 100 collection sites across 17 states. Furthermore, HCA Healthcare has worked with the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic. HCA Healthcare has given $750,000 to the Collaborative to support the development of safer pain management protocols and reversal of the opioid crisis. Last year, the company also announced its enterprise-wide adopted Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR) program, which uses an individualized, multimodal pain management approach, only using opioids on an as-needed basis and instead using non-opioid pain relievers and other pain management techniques. The ESR protocol has resulted in an up to 44% decrease in opioid usage for some surgeries.
“Ethics matters. Organizations that commit to business integrity through robust programs and practices not only elevate standards and expectations for all, but also have better long-term performance,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, chief executive officer of Ethisphere. “We continue to be inspired by the World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees and their dedication to making real impact for their stakeholders and displaying exemplary values-based leadership. Congratulations to HCA Healthcare for earning a place in the World’s Most Ethical Companies community.”
In 2023, 135 honorees were recognized spanning 19 countries and 46 industries. The full list of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at their website.