BIRMINGHAM, AL. - 60 primary care physicians are now practicing in rural areas of our state as a result of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Medical Scholarship Program. Blue Cross started its medical scholarship program in 2016 to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Alabamians.

To help ease the financial burden after graduation, Blue Cross pays for the students’ last two years of medical school, with the condition the recipients agree to practice for at least three years after graduation in an underserved area of Alabama.

“We are seeing the results that we were hoping for from our scholarship program,” said Tim Vines, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “We are grateful to all the graduates for their willingness to serve and provide quality healthcare to those living in underserved areas of Alabama. The impact we are seeing would also not be possible without the collaboration with our college and university partners.” 

To date, 144 students have been awarded a Blue Cross scholarship and 60 have graduated and are now practicing in underserved areas across Alabama.

“Going into medicine, it brings about a lot of important decisions that we have to make, but then Blue Cross removes the worry about paying back debt,” said Sabrina Belizaire, ACOM medical student and scholarship recipient. “I’m thankful for Blue Cross doing this and saying we believe in this wholeheartedly and putting money behind those beliefs.”

“The scholarship is a major blessing,” said Will Maitre, UAB medical student and scholarship recipient. “I’m so thankful for it because it allows me to serve and provide the best care that I possibly can without having a major financial burden.”

The scholarship program helps address healthcare needs in the following areas:

• Primary Care
• Behavioral/Mental Health
• Maternal Health
• Nursing
• Family Medicine Obstetrics
• Certified Nurse Midwifery
• Dentistry

The following schools are partnering with Blue Cross on the scholarship program:

• Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Auburn University
• University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
• University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile
• Jefferson State Community College
• Calhoun Community College
• West Alabama Community College
• Coastal Alabama Community College

 About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for over 88 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.