As Jada Higheagle considers the path ahead of her in nursing, she’s excited to use her passion for working with children and interest in the human circulatory system to pursue a career in the field of pediatric cardiology.
“My goal is to make a difference in as many lives as I can, and I believe that nurses do this every day,” Jada, a junior nursing major at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, says.
Jada is one of six recipients of the BlueCross Power of We Scholarship. Here are their stories.
Jada Higheagle
Junior, Nursing
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Jada has already seen how nursing plays a vital role in patient advocacy, direct patient support, and education through her experience working at a hospital last summer. She says she’s passionate about providing high quality, patient-centered care.
She also hopes that her future nursing roles will impact the larger picture of health care in the community where she works. She’d like to one day use her knowledge and skills to advocate for communities in Tennessee and address health disparities that can keep people from getting care they need.
“I want to be part of improving health outcomes and building trust between medical professionals and the communities they help take care of,” Jada says.
In her free time, Jada finds value in opportunities that encourage personal and professional growth. She’s active in the international service organization Alpha Kappa Alpha and its volunteer projects, and she’s a member of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine, where she says she’s inspired to make the world a better place.
The Power of We Scholarship will help Jada continue her education as she gains hands-on experience and “strives to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
Kailen Bradley
Graduate Student, Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Lincoln Memorial University
When Kailen Bradley reflects on her childhood, she realizes she’s always wanted to help others.
“I was a kid who always carried a first aid kit in my backpack, just in case anyone needed something,” she remembers.
Growing up, Kailen was inspired by her parents who served the community. With that foundation, choosing a vocation that serves others seemed like a very natural path, she says.
Kailen is currently a graduate student at Lincoln Memorial University pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy (DPT), which will allow her to help people improve their mobility, manage pain and rehabilitate from physical impairment.
“As skilled clinicians, we’ll develop individualized plans of care for patients,” she adds.
As part of her training, she also plans to seek certifications in pelvic floor physical therapy. Kailen hopes to one day help educate women about this aspect of their health, as well as the therapeutic interventions that could help to improve their wellbeing.
When she’s not studying, Kailen likes to volunteer. It’s something she grew up doing in Memphis with Girls Inc., her local Boys and Girls Club, and Meals on Wheels. She’s also been the student government president for the university’s physical therapy class of 2026, providing representation during faculty meetings and organizing fundraising and volunteer efforts.
“My fellow physical therapy students and I volunteered with the Tennessee Special Olympics to assess the athletes’ feet and check for proper footwear before they competed,” Kailen says.
Kailen notes the Power of We Scholarship will help her with costs associated with clinical rotations and living expenses – and help her to begin pelvic health certification courses while she completes her DPT.
“By beginning these certifications now, I can apply my knowledge immediately during clinical rotations and start my career well-prepared upon graduation,” she says.
Favour Badewole
Junior, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Fisk University
Favour Badewole remembers the very last conversation he had with his grandmother. She was facing a significant health crisis, but he was a child and could do little to help her, other than listen.
Today, inspired in part by that experience, he’s studying biochemistry and molecular biology at Fisk University to gain an understanding of disease at its most fundamental level. And he’s hoping to make a difference for others who face circumstances similar to his grandmother.
“Through my laboratory work and research, I want to contribute to developing affordable, accessible treatments,” Favour says.
His interest in advancing medical treatments was reinforced when he saw firsthand the real-world impact of his lab work and studies during a summer research session at UCLA’s Brain Research Institute.
“I worked alongside clinicians who treated patients with cardiac arrhythmias. That changed me and showed me the direct link between scientific discovery and human lives,” he says.
Favour says his goal is to one day use his training and leadership skills to advocate for preventive health care initiatives. To that end, he invests his spare time in student leadership and activities to help his peers.
He’s organized mental health initiatives to ensure that students have access to resources, and he’s served on the African Student Association, helping to increase engagement and bridge gaps between international and local students.
Favour is appreciative of the support he’s received to help with his education, and he sees the Power of We Scholarship as “fuel for a mission.”
“I want to ensure that science is not just an academic exercise, but a lifeline for those who need it most,” he says.
Read about the other 2025 Power of We Scholars here.
About the Power of We Scholarship
At BlueCross, our mission is to provide peace of mind through better health, and one critical aspect of that commitment is doing our part to improve care for our neighbors.
That’s why the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation funds the BlueCross Power of We Scholarship, providing six $10,000 awards to students who are committed to improving health care in Tennessee.
Since 2013, the BlueCross Foundation has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to 56 students.
The BlueCross Foundation’s funding is separate from corporate operations and must be used to benefit Tennessee communities. The foundation has a self-sustaining endowment, and the company has not contributed funds since 2014.
Marie joined the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee corporate communications team in 2012. A Florida native, she has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, community relations, speech writing and special event planning.