INNOVATE

An impressive accomplishment that caught the attention of the CVS Health Foundation. On Jan. 28, 2021, CVS, in collaboration with UNCF, announced the establishment of a five-year, $5 million CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship Program. Under the program, scholarships are awarded to Black and Latinx students pursuing an academic career in health care. The new scholarship program is part of CVS Health’s nearly $600 million commitment over the next five years to address inequity faced by Black people and other disenfranchised communities.

“Working with UNCF, the CVS Health Foundation is supporting a best-in-class model for moving students to and through college,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president, corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, CVS Health and president of the CVS Health Foundation. “UNCF has an impressive track record of impacting minority education and improving graduation rates for students, while making a meaningful difference in the lives of selected scholars.”

Kendra M. Thomas, a student in her fourth year at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, and CVS Health scholar can attest to that. “This scholarship enabled me to focus on school and my passion for health care, rather than the financial burden of going to pharmacy school,” said Thomas. “As we have seen the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on communities of color, this new program will help ensure that the health care industry will have more people who look like the communities they serve. It will help more students like me to reach their full potential.” Upon graduation, Thomas has a fellowship to work with the Johnson and Johnson U.S. Oncology Marketing and Market Access teams.

UNCF has an impressive track record of impacting minority education and improving graduation rates for students, while making a meaningful difference in the lives of selected scholars.”

“This scholarship program will feed a robust pipeline of under-represented students, which will in turn strengthen the pool of talented college graduates ready for today’s and tomorrow’s workplace,” said David Casey, senior vice president and chief diversity officer, CVS Health. “Enabling students to excel in the workforce—particularly people of color and those facing financial barriers—advances our commitment to social justice and equity and will have a lasting impact.”

Black and Latinx students attending an accredited four-year college or university in the United States with an interest in pursuing a career in the health care sector are eligible to apply for the CVS Health Foundation’s need-based scholarships. Eligible areas of study will bolster the healthcare innovation talent pipeline, with majors including pharmacy, nursing, business management, biology, biochemistry, finance, operations/supply chain, data analytics, information technology, actuary and human resources. The two-year scholarships will support students in their junior and senior years as they complete their studies.