Optum Rx, a UnitedHealth Group business, partnered with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) to establish a scholarship for underrepresented pharmacy students. FAMU is a historically Black university (HBCU) in Tallahassee.
The scholarship aims to increase representation in the pharmacy field. The scholarship will fund up to $95,000 for more than 15 students at FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences/Institute of Public Health.
The low number of underrepresented students in pharmacy schools has led to a lack of diversity in pharmacists and pharmacy leadership. Care provided by culturally competent clinicians builds trust and helps decrease disparities in outcomes.
“Ensuring equity is one of the most persistent challenges in health care. Partnering with FAMU to advance Black representation in pharmacy care will help contribute to making health care more accessible to all, from the profession to the patient,” said Corey Coleman, Vice President of Health Equity & Strategic Partnerships, Optum Rx. “The pharmacy student scholarship fund is our opportunity to support up to 15 students facing financial insecurity while ensuring we are intentionally seeking ways to reduce disparities in the health care sector.”
