TriStar Stonecrest announces HCA Healthcare Foundation's $50,000 grant to SOAC
Smyrna, Tenn. — TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center, part of HCA Healthcare, announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (SOAC) to support AlegreMENTE Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections — a fully immersive, interactive traveling exhibit designed for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers.
“We are proud that the HCA Healthcare Foundation is supporting the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center and the incredible work they do for families in our community,” said Louis Caputo, chief executive officer at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center. “Their mission to foster educational play and spark curiosity in our youngest learners aligns perfectly with our commitment to improving health and well-being across Middle Tennessee.”
The exhibit, developed and produced by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, uses play, storytelling, dance and exploration to demonstrate how everyday interactions help build a child’s brain in critical areas such as language, social-emotional development, cognitive growth and motor skills. Through hands-on activities, caregivers discover how they are uniquely equipped to support healthy early development and meaningful connections with young children.
“This grant is a game-changer for our center,” said Mike Moss, parks and recreation director for the Town of Smyrna. “With this support, we expect to welcome more than 7,500 guests between May and September 2025. AlegreMENTE Happy Brain will provide meaningful, educational experiences that promote learning through play, inspire curiosity, and connect our community through science and recreation.”
The funding comes from the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Middle Tennessee Fund, which supports organizations across Davidson, Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford, Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson and Sumner Counties. Since its creation in 1997, the fund has prioritized investments in organizations addressing basic needs, health and well-being, primary care, education and the arts. The fund places strong emphasis on nonprofits with authentic, ongoing relationships with HCA Healthcare colleagues, often demonstrated through board service and volunteerism.
TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center has a long-standing partnership with SOAC, most notably co-hosting the annual Smyrna Kids Safety Day — a free community event that has reached thousands of families with vital child safety education. This latest collaboration reflects the shared goal of creating healthier tomorrows by investing in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that benefit the entire community.
In 2024 alone, the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Middle Tennessee Fund awarded over $6.7 million in grants to 204 agencies across the region.