BIRMINGHAM, AL –  23 students from four medical schools in Alabama were selected to receive a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama medical scholarships. As a condition of these scholarships, the recipients agree to practice as primary care or behavioral health physicians in an underserved area of Alabama after graduation.

“It is an honor for our Company to provide this scholarship opportunity to these students who are committed to becoming physicians and making a difference in Alabama,” said Tim Vines, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “We are thankful for their willingness to serve and provide quality healthcare to those residing in underserved areas in our state.”

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Edward Via College of Medicine (VCOM, Auburn)

• Russell Baldwin – Clanton, AL
• Jordan Carinder – Cherryvale, KS
• Taylor Carter – Madison, AL
• James Pollock – Columbus, GA
• Madeleine Powell – Albertville, AL
• Alisha Tillman – Shelbyville, TN
• Bailey Walker – Murfreesboro, TN
• Luther Ward – Hoover, AL

University of South Alabama (USA, Mobile)

• TiAriel Anderson – Monroe, AL
• Jarrett Barnes – Evergreen, AL
• Amber Crenshaw – Mobile, AL
• Alana Andrew Fortune - Mobile, AL
• Bailey Manning- Toxey, AL

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB, Birmingham)

• Christopher Chase Britt – Carrollton, AL
• Mack Bozman – Biloxi, MS
• Joshua Bush – Eufaula, AL
• Paris Cooke – Wetumpka, AL
• Dalton Frederick – Hamilton, AL
• Austin Kidd – Southside, AL
• Trey Kidd – Alexander City, AL
• Alyssa Lambert - Remlap, AL
• Carly Westmoreland – Addison, AL

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM, Dothan)

• Ryder Costa – Muscle Shoals, AL

The majority of Alabama’s counties do not have enough primary care and behavioral health physicians.  To address this statewide need, Blue Cross continues to invest in the future of its Primary Care Physician Network by providing scholarship opportunities to VCOM, UAB, USA and ACOM.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for 87 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market. For more information about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com. Connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter for more up-to-date information. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.