Anthem expands its rural health scholarship program at EKU

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Kentucky Medicaid unit is expanding its rural scholarship program at Eastern Kentucky University "to grow the number of frontline workers in the eastern region of the state and increase access to care and improve health equity for those living in Kentucky’s rural areas," the company and the university said in a press release.

The fund of nearly $200,000 "will enable more students to provide care in underserved communities," the release said. "Anthem Medicaid launched the scholarship in August 2021, granting eight students the opportunity to pursue health education and eventually serve in Eastern Kentucky." This year’s scholarship recipients are Breanna Goble, a Johnson County native, and Sara Cornelison, a Madison County native.

In the Kentucky Hospital Association’s 2022 Workforce Survey Report, Kentucky hospitals reported more than 13,000 vacancies across 13 professional groups last year. "Nursing topped the list with 22% of all nursing positions unfilled, and another 14% of nurses near retirement," the release noted.