TUCSON – Ten students are getting a closer look at how care works beyond the clinic, thanks to an $80,000 gift from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice.
The gift supports the Bridge Fellowship Program offered through the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona Health Sciences. This program helps students learn how public care, such as Medicaid, is established, funded, and delivered.
“This fellowship helps students see the full picture of care, not just how to treat patients, but how care reaches them,” said Dr. Heather Carter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice CEO. “By learning how programs like Medicaid shape access, they’re better prepared to support the people who rely on it every day.”
Medicaid plays a significant role in care across Arizona. It covers more than one-third of the state’s population. Through this program, students learn how these systems work behind the scenes, which helps them better guide their patients who depend on this care.
Each student received $6,000 to support this training. They also took part in the 2025 Rural Health Conference in Flagstaff, where they met with care teams, policy leaders, and public health experts.
Why This Matters
- Medicaid covers more than 2 million Arizonans.
- In some rural areas, Medicaid covers more than half of all kids.
- Students are taught how to treat people, but not always the system behind the care. This program helps them learn both.
Medical student Vivian Mendoza-Leon is among this year’s recipients. As a first-generation student, Mendoza-Leon said this fellowship provides her with the support she needs, allowing her to focus entirely on learning and growth.
“The Bridge Fellowship Program is especially meaningful to me as a future physician with an interest in health policy, particularly Medicaid,” Mendoza-Leon said. “As someone who has personally benefited from Medicaid, I’ve seen both the important role it plays in providing access to care and the challenges patients can face navigating the system. These experiences have fueled my passion for health equity and my commitment to advocating for underserved communities.”
The 10 recipients are students at the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix and the College of Nursing. These students include:
| U of A College of Nursing | U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix |
| Taylor Rock | Joanna Marie Hilao |
| Chandler Collins | Naif Hebo |
| Stephanie O’Connor | Vivian Mendoza-Leon |
| Olivia Chavez | Vy Bui |
| Kimberly Pierson | |
| Karina Vidal |
For medical student Joanna Marie Hilao, this fellowship represents more than financial support. It enables her to understand the system better, allowing her to advocate for her patients and be part of the solution.
“The Bridge Fellowship is a pathway for me to grow not only as a medical student, but as an individual who understands and can help improve the systems that serve and shape our patients’ lives,” Hilao said. “It affirms my commitment to advocating for marginalized communities and reminds me that my lived experiences have a place in driving real, policy-informed change.”
This work is part of AZ Blue in Action, an initiative by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona aimed at improving health across the state. AZ Blue in Action helps create lasting change in areas with the greatest need. To learn more, visit AZ Blue in Action.
