Columbia/HCA announced that it was taking a critical step in developing a company-wide ethics, compliance, and corporate responsibility program. To initiate the program, the company designated more than 500 employees as facility ethics and compliance officers (ECOs). The new ECOs began their roles with a two-day training session in Nashville. The local leadership provided by these facility ECOs was thought to be the key link in ensuring that the company continued to develop a culture of ethical conduct and corporate responsibility.