In a significant boost to the future of health care in New Mexico, BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico (BCBS NM), Presbyterian Health Plan, and Western Sky Community Care have collectively pledged substantial financial support to The University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center. These contributions, totaling over $2.6 million, are set to transform the landscape of nursing and medical education by providing essential scholarships and endowments aimed at addressing the critical shortage of health care professionals in the state.
BCBS NM: A $1.6 Million Commitment
BCBS NM’s generous support of $1.6 million will benefit the UNM College of Nursing, with a substantial portion allocated to scholarships for students pursuing post-bachelor’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees with concentrations in nurse-midwifery, pediatric nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health. The vision is to help ensure that graduates practice in New Mexico for an extended period post-graduation. The $1 million gift will be divided equally among 10 students, significantly reducing their financial burden.
Additionally, BCBS NM has contributed $100,000 to the Accelerated BSN Scholarship Fund, which will be divided equally among 10 students. This fund is designed to support students enrolled in the accelerated 2nd degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, fostering a quicker entry into the nursing workforce for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
“Our students are committed to serving their communities, but the financial cost is often a barrier. These DNP and accelerated 2nd degree students hold an undergraduate degree, making it difficult to secure traditional grants and scholarships. With BlueCross BlueShield’s support, these future nurses, nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners can focus on their studies as they prepare to care for our communities.”
A key highlight of BCBS NM’s contribution is the creation of the BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico Nursing Endowed Professorship. This $500,000 permanent endowment aims to support the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty at the UNM College of Nursing. The endowed professorship will focus on research and educational activities, professional travel, and interdisciplinary work related to midwifery, perinatal health, maternal/child health, and women’s health.
Presbyterian Health Plan: $580,000 for OB/GYN Education
Presbyterian Health Plan has dedicated $580,000 to the UNM School of Medicine to provide scholarships for students pursuing advanced degrees with a concentration in obstetrics-gynecology (OB/GYN). The vision is to improve access to and continuity of maternal and obstetrics care in rural communities. This includes $340,000 allocated to five fourth-year medical students who have been accepted into OB/GYN residency programs and $240,000 to support 26 UNM OB/GYN residents.
Western Sky Community Care: $450,000 for Nursing Scholarships
Western Sky Community Care has established a Nursing Scholarship Fund with a generous contribution of $450,000. This fund aims to support students interested in rural health, OB/GYN, pediatrics, midwifery, maternal child health, and other areas of nurse practitioners. The scholarships will be divided among 10 students who are committed to providing clinical care in New Mexico following graduation.
“This generous gift from Western Sky Community Care will alleviate the financial burdens of returning to school and allow students who may not have been able to return to school for an advanced degree to receive an education that benefits New Mexico’s health care,” Medina said.
A Unified Vision for Health Care in New Mexico
Bill Uher, Vice President of Development at the UNM Foundation, emphasized the impact of what amounts to an unprecedented collaboration between these three companies.
“It’s unique for three different companies to have this shared vision around how to address the shortage of nurses and physicians in the state of New Mexico. Even deeper than that, they share this vision about how they can advance care in specialties that are very underrepresented in New Mexico, such as midwifery, OB/GYN, maternal health, and childhood well-being.”
Uher also highlighted the selfless motivations behind these contributions.
“When I was talking with these three organizations, there was never any comment about ‘how does this help drive business our way’ or ‘will this help improve our membership.’ The dialogue was always about the students – what kind of debt they are taking on and how that debt affects their career decisions.”
Reducing Student Debt to Retain Talent
Uher pointed out that reducing student debt is a significant step toward retaining health care workers in New Mexico.
“We’re competing to keep nurses and OB/GYNs in the state of New Mexico with states like Texas and Colorado that typically pay more. Reducing student debt makes it more feasible for graduates to stay and work in New Mexico.”
The contributions from BCBS NM, Presbyterian Health Plan, and Western Sky Community Care not only address immediate financial needs but also ensure long-term benefits for the UNM Health Sciences community.
As Uher concluded, “these gifts are about addressing the greatest health care needs in New Mexico, including access to care, health disparities, and recruiting professionals to rural areas.”
These substantial, landmark donations underscore a generous commitment to improving health care in New Mexico by investing in the education and retention of our future health care professionals. The impact of these contributions is profound.
“Could you imagine being a College of Nursing student, and the financial aid officer calls you and says, ‘we want to give you a scholarship of $100,000 to help you finish your DNP program’? Or if you’re a third-year medical student and you’re told you’re going to get a scholarship valued at about $55,000 going into your fourth year? It’s incredible – it’s like money from heaven.”