Thomas Frist, Jr. Acceptance Speech

🎥 Dec 03, 2018 📺 BelmontUniversity ⏱ 7m

Thomas Frist, Jr.'s acceptance speech on behalf of himself and his father, Thomas Frist, Sr., for their inductions into the TN Health Care Hall of Fame on October 12, 2015.

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About Thomas Frist

Thomas Frist, Jr., co-founder of HCA Healthcare, has spoken about his family's philanthropic and civic involvement in Nashville. In a 2021 discussion about the founding of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Frist recalled that he became involved after a 1990 lunch with Ida Cooney, who urged him to start a community foundation. He said the foundation has allowed his family to be "more effective in our charitable giving" and stated that the community is "far better off today" as a result. Frist also noted that some people initially opposed the idea, believing there was no need for a community foundation given existing private and not-for-profit foundations. In a 2015 acceptance speech for the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame, Frist credited his father, Thomas Frist, Sr., and HCA co-founder Jack Massey as role models. He said his father taught him "core values" including integrity and humility, and that Massey taught him "the joy of giving back." Frist described Nashville and Tennessee as "an unbelievably great place for the Frist family" and said he hoped that "along the way we've made the world a little better place for others." In a 2016 video for the Nashville Health Care Council's 20th anniversary, Frist said the council has provided a place for healthcare pioneers to collaborate and that Nashville has become "an important source of new ideas and new technologies" in healthcare.

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Transcript (3 segments)

Narrator0:10

Nashville for any length of time has heard the name of Dr. Frist. He was a legend throughout his career and continues to remain a legend in the healthcare industry today. Graduating in 1933 from Vanderbilt Medical School, Dr. Frist knew that Nashville needed another hospital, especially one that would take care of patients with the excellence he demanded. As a result, he founded Park View Hospital in 1960. It was the first of many examples of Dr. Frist going the extra mile for the care and concern of his patients. In 1968, as we just heard, Dr. Frist went on to found HCA with his son, and the father of the modern for-profit hospital industry of the United States. Another leader here in Nashville has said that Dr. Frist's greatest legacy was kind and compassionate healthcare, the heart and soul of HCA. Please welcome now Chris Holmes, president and chief executive officer of First Bank, to the stage to present Dr. Frist Senior's award to Dr. Thomas Frist Jr., his son, who is accepting on behalf of the Frist family.

Thomas Frist Jr., joining his father and Mr. Massey to found HCA, one of the first hospital companies in the nation. He has contributed mightily to the successful healthcare industry that Tennessee enjoys today. He served as chairman and CEO of HCA during some pivotal times for the company, and thanks to him and his co-founders, HCA is a leader in the industry and has truly transformed the delivery of healthcare in the United States as well as abroad. Dr. Frist's vision and values laid the foundation for the company. He focused first and foremost on caring for patients and establishing an unwavering commitment to quality. He is a powerful role model and mentor to many, a philanthropist of great generosity with a focus on education, the arts, and many other charitable causes. Please welcome now Milton Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Hospital Corporation of America, to present the award to Dr. Frist.

Thomas Frist4:11

Family, it's been very kind to us, and we could never pay back the great indebtedness that this state, this city, and this healthcare community has given to us. To all of you, thank you for this honor. I've been fortunate my whole life to have had wonderful people around me: my family, colleagues, and friends, and I'm pleased that many are here with us today. I also have had many role models who set an example for me to follow, individuals who took time to lend the benefit of their experience and insights through conversations and advice. Certainly my father and Mr. Jack Massey, with whom I am honored to share this recognition. I learned the importance of working hard and going the extra mile, and when successes come your way, to accept them with humility and give credit to others when credit is due. I learned the importance of respecting the dignity of the individual and dealing with others with compassion and warmth. From Jack Massey, I learned many things, and especially I learned a great deal from his business acumen. I learned even more, though, about the joy of giving back and the importance of thoughtful philanthropy and civic engagement. My father was the heart and soul of HCA. He also knew as a practicing physician what doctors needed best to serve their patients. His expertise and vision, as well as his credibility with his fellow physicians, helped structure HCA to be a patient-centered, physician-driven healthcare system. Throughout my life to this very moment, my parents had a great influence on me. I always saw them put the needs of others before their own. Their generosity within the community influenced me just as much as my dad's success as a physician. So while I gladly accept this honor, I must give the credit to the foundation set so long ago, and to Jack Bovender and Richard Bracken, former HCA CEOs who are here today, along with HCA's current CEO Milton Johnson, and many of my HCA family who are really a part of my extended family. No one could ask for better leaders, better colleagues, or better friends. Through the successes and challenges, we've had a good time, and hopefully along the way we've made the world a little better place for others. To my fellow honorees and their representatives, let me just say I am proud to be included in such an impressive group. Your impact on healthcare and on the world has been immeasurable. So on behalf of my father and myself, I thank all of you.