Health care scholarships available

HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente’s Health Equity Scholarship Program aims to develop healthier communities by helping young leaders achieve their dreams of going to college and pursuing a career in the health care field. Graduating high school seniors in Hawaii can apply for a $5,000 scholarship from April 15 to May 15, 2021. Scholarship recipients will be announced August 23, 2021. 

Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, 4-year university or community college for the 2021 through 2022 academic school year. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 weighted scale and demonstrate an interest in pursuing a clinical (physician, pharmacist, practitioner, nurse) or nonclinical (accounting, business administration, finance, human resources, marketing, operations, public policy) career in the health care industry. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need and/or students from underrepresented communities. 

“At this time when many Hawaii families are struggling financially, we hope to lessen at least one burden so that students don’t have to give up on their dreams of going to college,” said Greg Christian, president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Health Plan and Hospitals. “Our Health Equity Scholarship Program is part of our mission to care for the communities we serve by encouraging equal access to education and health care.” 

A recent study by the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine found that Hawaii’s already-dire physician shortage was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. At least 110 physicians elected to retire due to practice disruptions such as temporary or permanent clinic closures, increased telehealth practice, altered operating hours, and reduced patient volume. Although the number of active physicians may rebound when the pandemic is contained, the shortage of 1,000 physicians in Hawaii will be difficult to mitigate. Opportunities that encourage students to pursue careers in health care will help remove barriers that may otherwise discourage students from clinical professions. 

To learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s Health Equity Scholarship Program and to apply, visit kp-health-equity-scholars.hsfts.net. 

Application Timeline: 

• April 15, 2021: Phase I applications open.
• May 15, 2021: Phase I applications due.
• June 4, 2021: Finalists announced. Phase II applications open. 
• June 30, 2021: Phase II applications due. 
• August 23, 2021: Scholarship recipients announced. 
• September to October 2021: Recipient enrollment verification.
• Fall 2021/Spring 2022: Financial awards disbursed. 

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.