Impact in Action: How Volunteering Opened Doors for Students

At HCA Healthcare, showing up is more than a mindset, it’s action. Every day, our colleagues serve patients, support one another, and extend that same care into the communities where they live. For many, volunteering is a natural extension of that purpose.

For Rachel Keoppel, AVP of Marketing for HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division, giving back is deeply personal. “I have always loved being involved in my community and when I can be involved and do something that involves my family that is just icing on the cake,” she shares. For Rachel, impact doesn’t require something grand, it simply requires participation. “I define ‘showing up’ as pitching in with whatever you have… your time, your efforts or your resources.”

That philosophy came to life through her volunteer work with her son’s high school speech and debate team. Like many extracurricular programs, the team faces limited funding and relies heavily on parent and community support. Rachel has volunteered as a judge for three years, witnessing firsthand the dedication of the students. “These kids work incredibly hard and are learning valuable life skills… I want to do anything I can to support them and help them be successful.”

Through HCA Healthcare’s volunteer grant program, Rachel’s time translated into tangible impact as her volunteer hours translated into care cards. “This funding through HCA Healthcare’s volunteer grant program came in clutch,” she explains. “It allowed them to participate in a recent event that wasn’t possible due to limited resources… they literally cheered when they found out they could go! Some of those funds will even help the team go to the National Speech and Debate Tournament.” What might have been canceled opportunities became transformative experiences.

For students like Nathan Keoppel, Senior Captain of the Syracuse High School Speech and Debate Team, that impact is clear: “Receiving funding from HCA Healthcare… allowed our team to attend more tournaments and compete in events we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. Because of the support from our community and programs like this, students can explore areas they might not have access to otherwise. We are incredibly grateful to HCA Healthcare.”

Rachel encourages others to take advantage of the program: “These donations can make a big difference.”

HCA Healthcare’s volunteer grant program turns hours into impact. For every 10 hours logged in a calendar year, colleagues can direct a $200 care card donation to a nonprofit of their choice, up to $1,000 annually. It’s one more way HCA Healthcare empowers colleagues to show up — and make a meaningful difference.

Colleagues can learn more or log their volunteer service.