WellCare of Kentucky, a subsidiary of Tampa, Fla.-based WellCare Health Plans, will provide $180,000 to fund two scholarships for students at the Lexington-based University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the College of Nursing who plan to work in underserved areas across the state.
The WellCare Physicians for the Commonwealth Program will award 20, one-year scholarships worth $5,000 each to incoming medical students who demonstrate interest in serving underserved populations across the state.
The second scholarship will benefit nurses enrolled in the university's doctorate in nursing practice program who plan to practice primary medicine or behavioral health in rural Kentucky. The scholarships will be used to cover the entire five-semester program for up to 10 students.
"We know that access to doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers directly affects health outcomes," said William Jones, president of WellCare of Kentucky. "When healthcare is in short supply or located far away, people are less likely to get routine screenings, tests and vaccinations — the type of care that can catch problems early or even prevent illness altogether. Anything we can do to encourage more providers to locate in underserved areas will be a direct benefit to the health of our state."