BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation recognizes outstanding students committed to improving health care in Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation has selected six students from around the state as recipients of its 2025 BlueCross Power of We Scholarships.
Each year, the foundation awards $10,000 scholarships to students based on their outstanding achievements in community service, leadership, and academics, as well as their commitment to improving health care across the state.
The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all backgrounds who are enrolled at accredited colleges and universities within the state of Tennessee. They must be pursuing degrees and careers in health care with a demonstrated desire to improve health for Tennesseans. To date, the foundation has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to 56 students.
“We know that as we work to improve health outcomes for all Tennesseans, it’s critical to invest in the state’s future health care providers,” says Dr. Andrea Willis, SVP and chief medical officer at BlueCross. “Our Power of We Scholarship is a vital component of our efforts to support the wellbeing of our neighbors.”
This year’s Power of We Scholars are:
Favour Badewole – Nashville
Junior, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Fisk University
Gagana Borra – Nashville
Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences
Vanderbilt University
Kailen Bradley – Knoxville
Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Lincoln Memorial University
Jylexus Burks – Memphis
Doctor of Pharmacy candidate
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
Jada Higheagle – Chattanooga
Junior, Nursing
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Jamela Wiseman – Clarksville
Senior, Nursing
Austin Peay State University
The BlueCross Foundation will begin accepting applications for 2026 BlueCross Power of We Scholarships in February. To view eligibility criteria, visit BCBSTNews.com/scholarship.
For the full stories and a video about this year’s BlueCross Power of We Scholars, visit BCBSTNews.com.
About BlueCross®
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.3 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and has brought peace of mind to its members and local communities for 80 years. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com.
About BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. was established in December 2003 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. The foundation provides funding for the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which creates active, healthy spaces across Tennessee.