Thomas F. Frist, Sr.

Thomas Fearn Frist, Sr. (December 15, 1910 – January 4, 1998) was an American physician and businessman.

Early life

Thomas Fearn Frist, Sr. was born on December 15, 1910 in Meridian, Mississippi, to Jennie (James) Frist and Jacob C. Frist. He received his undergraduate education from the University of Mississippi and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University.

Career

Frist began his career as a cardiologist in the Nashville area. In 1968, with his son, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., and Jack C. Massey, who helped Harland Sanders create the Kentucky fried chicken chain, he founded Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the largest private operator of health care facilities in the world, taking the company public in 1969. He is widely regarded as "the father of the modern for-profit hospital system" in the U.S.

Personal life

He was married to Dorothy Cate, and they had three sons and two daughters: Thomas F. Frist, Jr. (physician/businessman/philanthropist); Robert A. Frist (physician); Bill Frist (physician/U.S. Senator); Dorothy F. Boensch; and Mary F. Barfield.