MountainStar Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, has announced that the HCA Healthcare Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to the Canyons Education Foundation. The funds are intended to support the Area Health Education Center, or AHEC, Medical Scholars program.
This grant is a component of the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, which is a community impact fund established with an initial $75 million investment to address high-priority community needs.
The funding supported the launch and delivery of the AHEC program to 25 students during the spring 2026 semester. Offered in partnership with Weber State University, the program allows students to earn four college credits while studying healthcare systems, health information literacy, and career exploration.
In addition to academic credit, the grant funded instruction, professional equipment, and hands-on learning materials such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and scrubs.
Through a partnership with HCA Healthcare’s Center for Clinical Advancement in Draper and Lone Peak Hospital, students participated in training within simulation environments used by healthcare professionals. Students worked through clinical scenarios modeled after real cases to gain experience with situations encountered by medical teams and nurses during professional training.
Melinda Patterson, the Chief Nursing Officer of Lone Peak Hospital, stated that investing in the future of healthcare professionals is a meaningful way for the organization to show up in communities. She noted that providing hands-on exposure helps build student confidence and interest in the profession.
Reid Newey, Director of the Canyons Innovation Center, described the Medical Scholars program as a benefit for both students and medical partners. He noted that students gain access to local hospitals and earn university credit, while medical professionals have the chance to influence their future workforce during facility visits.
