Amazing Together: HCA and March of Dimes Collaborate to Improve Health of Babies

Partnership will raise up to $3 million for the March of Dimes

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HCA
(NYSE: HCA), one of the nation’s leading providers of obstetric care and
a recognized leader in perinatal quality and safety, and the March
of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby
health, today announced a collaboration on research, community and
educational opportunities to improve the health of mothers and babies.

As part of the partnership, HCA, which operates 171 hospitals in 20
states and the United Kingdom and is responsible for delivering nearly
220,000 babies annually, will give $1.5 million to the March of Dimes
over three years. Up to another $1.5 million will be raised through
March of Dimes fundraising events, such as March for Babies, held by
HCA-affiliated hospitals during the next three years.

“HCA and the March of Dimes share a commitment to improving the health
of babies,” said Stacey D. Stewart, president of the March of Dimes. “We
previously worked with HCA on pioneering research on preventing
unnecessary early deliveries, and we’re excited about this new
partnership. We’re honored that our work with HCA and its hospitals
allows the March of Dimes to serve more families and communities across
the country. Together we’re ensuring that more babies get a healthy
start in life.”

“For nearly 80 years, the March of Dimes has been the leading
organization fighting problems that threaten babies’ health, and HCA,
which was founded nearly 50 years ago, delivers more babies than any
healthcare provider in the country,” said Bruce Moore, HCA’s president –
service line and operations integration. “This is a natural opportunity
for two organizations focused on the health of babies to work together
to have an even greater impact.”

HCA, which has 114 labor and delivery units and treated 33,000 babies in
its 89 affiliated neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) last year, is a recognized
leader in research related to the care of mothers and babies. A
study conducted at HCA-affiliated hospitals found that babies born
electively at 39 weeks were four times less likely to require NICU care
compared to babies born electively at 37 weeks. These findings and other
HCA research led the hospital provider to develop a clinical protocol to
reduce early elective deliveries.

“With the privilege of delivering nearly 220,000 babies a year, we have
a successful history of collaboration with the March of Dimes in
improving health for mothers and babies,” said Dr. Jonathan Perlin,
HCA’s president – clinical services group and chief medical officer.
“Our work together demonstrated the importance of carrying a pregnancy
for a full 39 weeks, whenever possible, as a means of reducing minor and
more serious complications. With shared goals for the best possible
care, we look forward to working together on a number of important
research questions.”

HCA and its affiliated hospitals will donate $500,000 annually for the
next three years, with HCA employees raising up to an additional
$500,000 each year through community fundraising and educational
activities. For example, HCA hospitals are sponsoring 42 March for
Babies events, the March of Dimes’ premier fundraiser, which are
underway now in communities across the country served by HCA-affiliated
hospitals. In addition to the financial support, fundraising and
educational events and clinical research, HCA hospitals will offer the
March of Dimes NICU Family Support® program. This program provides
comfort and educational materials to families who have a newborn in
intensive care as well as evidence-based training to caregivers to help
improve communication and teamwork with NICU families.

About HCA

Nashville-based HCA is one of the nation’s leading providers of
healthcare services, operating 171 locally managed hospitals and 119
freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and the United Kingdom. With
its founding in 1968, HCA created a new model for hospital care in the
United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver
patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine. HCA has
conducted a number of clinical studies, including one that demonstrated
that full-term delivery is healthier than early elective delivery of
babies and another that identified a clinical protocol that can reduce
bloodstream infections by 44 percent. HCA is a learning healthcare
system that uses its more than 27 million annual patient encounters to
advance science, improve patient care and save lives. Please click here
to connect with HCA on social media.

About March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy
and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited
from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites
marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. To participate in our annual
signature fundraising event, visit marchforbabies.org. If you have been
affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org
community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state and
local perinatal statistics, visit peristats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or
follow us on Instagram
and Twitter.

All references to “Company” and “HCA” as used throughout this
document refer to HCA Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.

Contacts

HCA Contact:
Ed Fishbough, 615-344-2810
or
March
of Dimes Contact:
Todd Dezen, 914-997-4608