Nashville, TN – Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), was presented with the inaugural United Way Lifetime Achievement Award at the worldwide organization’s Community Leaders Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on May 2, 2012. The United Way Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose contributions, sustained over a lifetime, have helped create opportunities for a better life for all and advance the common good in communities around the world.
“Dr. Frist’s longstanding support of United Way is a tremendous asset to communities throughout our worldwide network,” said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. “Throughout a lifetime of philanthropy and community support, Dr. Frist has helped grow the United Way movement, through the creation and stewardship of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society and continual advocacy for our community impact goals in education, income and health.”
Established by Frist in 1981 in Nashville, the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society helps celebrate and deepen relationships between United Way and community leaders. During its 30-year existence, the Alexis de Tocqueville Society has grown from ten communities recruited by Frist before 1984, to over 500 communities across the United States and around the world. Since 1981, Alexis de Tocqueville Society members have invested an average of about $600 million annually. Society members include Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet and more than 25,000 other families around the world.
“Dr. Frist’s extraordinary leadership remains a benchmark moment in philanthropy, and the catalytic effect will be felt for generations to come,” said 14-year Tocqueville Society member Mike Schmerling, chairman of Choice Food Group in Nashville. “The impact of his vision can be measured by the $7 billion generated to date, the 25,000-membership in over 500 societies worldwide, and most importantly, the positive impact on countless lives. Dr. Frist’s invitation to invest at an altitude that reflects the true capacity of our caring is among the most important in the history of philanthropy,” Schmerling continued.
“I am honored to accept the United Way Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Frist. “Individuals and corporations play an important role in the creation of stronger, more vibrant societies, and I am thankful that I have been able to play a small part in the development of opportunities for a better life for all. I am forever indebted to HCA for providing me a platform and encouragement over the years to work with organizations like United Way Worldwide.”
The Frist family is deeply involved in local, national and international philanthropy having supported United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, United Way Worldwide and many other causes and organizations.
About United Way Worldwide
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on education, income and health. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action—to give, advocate and volunteer—to improve conditions in their communities. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org.