Look at most any hospital in America and you'll find an engine of economic development, but not all are equal in their community benefit.

The economic impact of a hospital is felt locally, through direct spending on such things as payroll, purchase of goods and services, and the financing of new construction. A hospital also exerts indirect economic impact by being a magnet for other businesses that benefit from close proximity to such a dynamic and multi-faceted endeavor.

In addition, hospitals inevitably bring a significant "community benefit" to the communities they serve. This is a specific industry term that describes the broad variety of discretionary, benevolent activities that impact education and public welfare, as well as the quality of healthcare. Community benefit includes such things as providing charity care for the uninsured, providing vital healthcare and education programs -- many of which operate at a loss -- for the community. It also includes the value of employees' personal involvement in civic, charitable or professional organizations.

Carolinas Medical Center-Union (CMC-Union) has a long history of being a good corporate citizen, stemming back to its 1953 roots as a medical center providing access to hospital care to all patients, regardless of social or economic background. As CMC-Union has grown over the years -- from a tiny 18 room facility to a 157 bed regional medical center -- so has its commitment to the communities it serves.

In fact, CMC-Union facilities serve not only as significant engines of economic growth, but also as leaders of both safety net services. They also provide comprehensive research and educational endeavors that advance the frontiers of medical knowledge and supply the region with needed healthcare professionals.

CMC-Union facilities, in short, go way beyond the fundamental mission of saving lives and restoring health. They have a positive affect on almost every aspect of community life. In fact, they account for a remarkable variety of extremely costly services that in many cases would have to be provided by government if they were not incorporated into the organization's mission.