Eastern Kentucky University and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield continue partnership

Eastern Kentucky University and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have reaffirmed their partnership and collaborative commitment to improve healthcare in the state of Kentucky, increase access to quality care, and increase the number of qualified healthcare workers to take over the open jobs in the state’s healthcare industry. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has contributed an additional $100,000 to the endowment for the Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University, a fellowship that encourages students to commit to practicing healthcare in rural areas across the state upon their graduation.

According to an article on Eastern Kentucky University’s website, Dr. Lori Caloia, who serves as the medical director of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky, was quoted as saying of the renewal of the organization’s partnership with Eastern Kentucky University, “Anthem is committed to closing the gap in health disparities and supporting Kentucky’s workforce through the implementation of innovative solutions that can reinvent healthcare across the state. We are proud to continue our partnership with Eastern Kentucky University to expand support for students pursuing healthcare education. This effort helps improve the availability of high-quality care in every corner of the state, particularly in our rural and underserved communities where the need is most pronounced.”

The partnership between Eastern Kentucky University and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield was first established in 2021, and since then, Anthem has committed nearly $400,000 to the Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarship. The scholarship provides funding to students who have an interest in practicing medicine in rural and underserved areas in Kentucky. To date, the scholarship has been awarded to 16 students, including this year’s recipients, Christa Ann Carlin, Morgan Elizabeth Hamilton, and Chassidy Paige Keeton.

EKU President David McFaddin said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Anthem to offer students educational opportunities through the Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarship. The impact of the Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarship cannot be overstated. The initiative improves college access and affordability as well as brings more local providers to Eastern Kentucky.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has committed nearly $1 million to these efforts via similar partnerships with other Kentucky schools, including Hazard Community & Technical College, Murray State University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.

For more information about Eastern Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.