Local health plan devoted $80,000 for nursing scholarships in 2016
CHEYENNE, WYO – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming’s (BCBSWY) creation of a nursing scholarship program is featured in the national The Health of America Community Investment Report, released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
BCBSWY’s Caring Foundation, in conjunction with the University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, created the Wyoming Scholars Program to help more students in Wyoming pursue nursing degrees. In 2016, BCBSWY Caring Foundation invested $80,000 to support nursing scholarships.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is dedicated to strengthening the Wyoming health care system, including helping communities address challenges like nursing shortages,” said Rick Schum, President and CEO. “Through our foundation, we are supporting a program that not only helps Wyoming students pursue secondary education but also grows the number of nurses in the state.”
Each year scholarships are provided through Wyoming’s seven community colleges to students who need financial assistance and want to advance their careers by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wyoming. Additional scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in the University of Wyoming Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program who intend to practice in a clinic setting in-state after graduation. Similarly, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming Caring Foundation also funds scholarships at the community-college level for students interested in pursuing health professions and nursing through its Health Scholarship program.
For the 2016-17 academic year, the Wyoming Scholars Program provided eight scholarships to students attending Casper College, Northwest College, Northern Wyoming Community College District, Central Wyoming College, University of Wyoming, Laramie County Community College, and Western Wyoming Community College.
The Wyoming Scholars Program is featured in the ninth annual The Health of America Community Investment Report, released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which represents the 36 locally based and independently operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. The report highlights the commitment of the companies and their foundations to helping Americans across the country live healthier lives. Collectively, the companies contributed to a national total of nearly 400,000 volunteer hours and more than $250 million in community health investments across the BCBS System. Employees of BCBS companies also donated nearly $11 million to community health initiatives in 2016.
“Investing in the health and well-being of our communities has been a long-standing tradition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies for nearly 90 years,” said BCBSA President and CEO Scott P. Serota. “We’re proud to be a part of the great work taking place in the communities where our members live and work. By supporting these efforts, we can make progress toward reducing health disparities and achieving healthier outcomes for every American across the country – leading to healthier generations in the future.”
To learn more about how BCBS companies are improving the health and wellness of members and their communities, view the report at www.bcbs.com/investingincommunities.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming (BCBSWY), a not-for-profit health insurer and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, provides access to high-quality healthcare coverage, services, and programs to help our members make the best healthcare decisions and get the best care. With 10 locations across Wyoming, we provide hometown service to residents and businesses while serving people and charitable organizations in communities around the state. Learn more about us at BCBSWY.com. About Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Foundation of Wyoming As a caring community, BCBSWY has been involved in promoting the good health and well-being of Wyoming residents by participating in and contributing to many health-related charities and causes. In 1990, BCBSWY established the Caring Foundation of Wyoming to help sustain this mission. The Caring Foundation of Wyoming now focuses its support through charitable giving. For more information, visit www.bcbswy.com/company_info/foundation