Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company donated $5,000 to support Lexington Medical Center’s Partners Program, a three-week summer internship that introduces high school students to a career in health care.

The grant will be used to support the 22-year-old program open to students in Lexington County high schools. More than 200 applications are submitted by students each year, with 60 finalists selected to participate during one of two sessions held at the hospital each summer. The program encourages students not only to consider a career in health care, but to return to their local community after completing their education.

Kara Addy, assistant vice president for Branding and Communications at Colonial Life, says the program helps extend the company’s social responsibility outreach efforts in Lexington County.

“Lexington Medical Center is one of our new community partners, and we are pleased to support local students through this important program,” she says.  “Colonial Life recognizes the importance of supporting education and growing a strong, talented workforce that can one day help support our local business community.”           

The company granted more than $700,000 to nonprofit organizations in 2011 as part of its charitable giving efforts.

Submitted by Colonial Life.