The Frist Family: A Billionaire's Biography

Overview

Thomas Frist Jr. is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist from the United States of America. He is the co-founder of HCA Healthcare, the largest private healthcare company in the world, with over 2,000 hospitals and healthcare facilities located within the USA and the UK. He is also the founder of the Frist Foundation, which provides grants and support to non-profit organizations and educational institutions.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Frist Jr. was born on April 12, 1938, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Dorothy Cate and Dr. Thomas Frist Sr. He grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, with his father owning a successful medical clinic in Nashville. He graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy, a private college-preparatory school in Nashville, in 1956.

Frist went on to attend Washington and Lee University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. He then attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, graduating with honors in 1964.

Career and Achievements

After completing his medical education, Frist began his career as a surgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In 1967, he joined the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon, serving in the Vietnam War.

In 1968, along with his father and Jack Massey, Frist co-founded Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). They started with a single hospital in Nashville, and over the next four decades, the company grew into one of the largest healthcare providers in the world. Frist served as the CEO of HCA from 1994 to 2001, and led the company through significant expansion and financial success.

In addition to his work with HCA, Frist is also a co-founder of the Nashville Health Care Council and the Nashville Health Care Center. He has served on the boards of numerous companies and organizations, including the Smithsonian Museum of American History and Vanderbilt University.

Personal Life

Frist has been married to Patricia C. Frist since 1962. They have three children, Thomas Frist III, Julie Frist, and Bill Frist. Thomas Frist III is a co-founder of digital healthcare company HealthStream, while Bill Frist served as a United States Senator representing Tennessee from 1995 to 2007.

Frist and his family are active in philanthropy, particularly in the areas of healthcare and education. In 1982, Frist founded the Frist Foundation, which has provided funding and support to numerous non-profit organizations and educational institutions.

Profile