CENTERPOINT MEDICAL CENTER AWARDS $25,000 HCA COMMUNITY CATALYST GRANT TO COMMUNITY SERVICES LEAGUE

CENTERPOINT MEDICAL CENTER AWARDS $25,000 HCA COMMUNITY CATALYST GRANT TO COMMUNITY SERVICES LEAGUE

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The hospital’s investment supports food access work that promotes health and stability for individuals and families in Independence.

INDEPENDENCE, MO. — (February 16, 2026) — Centerpoint Medical Center today announced a $25,000 HCA Community Catalyst Grant awarded to Community Services League, helping address food insecurity and support individuals and families experiencing crisis and transition in the Independence community.

The grant was presented on January 29, 2026, by Centerpoint Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Patrick Rafferty to Community Services League leadership. HCA Midwest Health, Centerpoint Medical Center, and Community Services League share a longstanding relationship rooted in volunteerism, community engagement, and a shared commitment to addressing the social determinants of health, including food insecurity. Centerpoint Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health, the region’s leading healthcare provider.

Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge for many Independence families, and this HCA Community Catalyst Grant helps advance Community Services League’s community-based work to improve health and stability by addressing one of the most critical social determinants of health.

“Community Services League is a trusted partner and a vital part of the Independence safety net,” said Rafferty. “At Centerpoint, we see how unmet needs like food insecurity can directly affect health outcomes. Community Services League often supports individuals and families long before they require hospital care, and this grant reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the systems that support our community.”

The HCA Community Catalyst Grant supports Community Services League’s food access programs, helping ensure neighbors have consistent access to nutritious food during periods of need – support that plays an important role in long-term community health and stability.

“We are deeply grateful to HCA Midwest Health for this Community Catalyst Grant,” said Community Services League President and CEO Doug Cowan. “This $25,000 investment strengthens our ability to meet people where they are and provide reliable access to nutritious food during moments of crisis and transition. Partnerships like this reinforce not only our mission, but the overall health and stability of the Independence community.”

Launched in 2023 through the Healthier Tomorrow Fund, the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Health Equity Catalyst Grant program provides one-time operating support to community-based organizations working to address health inequities and other barriers that impact long-term health and stability. The program focuses on strengthening culturally responsive services, advancing high-impact community health initiatives, supporting collaborative approaches and addressing root causes that influence health outcomes.

Through community investment priorities such as the Community Catalyst Grant, HCA Healthcare and its affiliated hospitals partner with trusted local organizations to improve health beyond hospital walls. Locally, HCA Midwest Health continues a longstanding commitment to community care by supporting programs focused on food security, access to care, education and overall community well-being – guided by a shared belief that healthier communities lead to healthier lives.

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About Centerpoint Medical Center

Centerpoint Medical Center—part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare provider—is located near I-70 and 291 Highway in Independence, Missouri.  Centerpoint Medical Center is a 285-bed acute care hospital with a Level II Trauma Center, a 24/7 Emergency Department, an Accredited Chest Pain Center, a Certified Stroke Center, and neurological care including neurosurgery, comprehensive women’s services including a premier birthing center with a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, orthopedic services, advanced diagnostic imaging, surgical and other acute care services. Centerpoint also features a state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation wing with 16 beds for the care of trauma, stroke, and orthopedic patients who require long-term rehabilitation. Centerpoint has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades – a leading healthcare quality organization – for five consecutive years, placing it among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance. For more information, visit https://hcamidwest.com/locations/centerpoint-medical-center/.

About HCA Midwest Health  

As the Kansas City area's leading healthcare provider, HCA Midwest Health comprises seven hospitals and dozens of outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers, and other facilities and services to meet residents' healthcare needs. HCA Midwest Health is one of the area's largest employers, with more than 10,000 colleagues and an annual local economic impact of more than $1.4 billion. That includes more than $102 million annually in charity and uncompensated care and more than $200 million in federal, state, and local taxes to help improve the schools, roads, and infrastructure of the communities we serve. HCA Midwest Health facilities include Research Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Lee's Summit Medical Center, Belton Regional Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, and Research Psychiatric Center. HCA Midwest Physicians, part of HCA Midwest Health, is a network of experienced, multi-specialty physicians throughout the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Currently, HCA Midwest Physicians represents nearly 600 providers. It includes 80+ specialties and provides care in 150+ locations to serve our community. The physicians, licensed professionals, and support staff who comprise the HCA Midwest Health team are dedicated to improving healthcare in the Greater Kansas City and outlying areas to create healthier communities that lead to healthier tomorrows. For more information, visit hcamidwest.com. 

Community Services League Misson and Vision

Our Mission: To partner with our neighbors by collaborating on strategies that foster community stability and individual wellbeing.

Our Vision: We envision communities where all people have equitable voice and choice to meet their basic needs and the resources to pursue their brightest future.