Capital Health Plan (CHP), consistently listed as one of the top health plans in Florida with high rankings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), is a major driver in the health insurance market, particularly in North Florida. What many people may not know is that it’s also a major driver in supporting educational programs that address Florida’s shortage of health care professionals, particularly in communities with inadequate access to care.

To help address this shortage, CHP recently made a $200,000 charitable gift to establish an endowed fund at the Florida State University College of Medicine. This endowment will provide scholarships to students with financial need in the Bridge to Clinical Medicine major. This yearlong program, which culminates with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, focuses on students from communities with limited access to care and prepares them for a medical education. These students tend to return to their communities and provide vital health care services.

“For so many students, the biggest obstacle to becoming a doctor isn’t talent or dedication — it’s financial. We hope this fund changes that,” said Lynn Jones, M.D., chief medical officer at Capital Health Plan. “Alongside the FSU College of Medicine, we’re investing in students who have the heart for medicine but may not have the financial means to pursue it. This is about building a healthier future for our communities.”

As of 2023, 159 of the Bridge Program’s 227 alumni went on to attend medical school. A total of 155 have matched with residency programs, 31 with fellowships and nearly 100 are in practice today, with more to follow once they complete their residencies and fellowships. Additionally, more than half of the Bridge alumni practice in the state of Florida and most in primary care.

“We’re very proud of the success of our students,” said Anthony Speights, M.D., senior associate dean for Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences and director of the Bridge program. “The fact that CHP has given us this vote of confidence speaks volumes and, rest assured, we will be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. This gift — which will continue in perpetuity – will help deserving students pursue a rewarding career in health care, a career they may not otherwise pursue without this support.”  

CHP has a long history of supporting medical education at Florida State. In addition to this new fund, CHP made a charitable gift that created the Nancy Van Vessem, M.D., Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to medical students based on their desire and commitment to practice internal medicine or outpatient geriatrics in North Florida. Van Vessem was a valued faculty member at the College of Medicine and chief medical officer at CHP, where she had worked for more than 20 years, at the time of her death in 2018.

“Support such as this has a direct and positive impact on the mission of the College of Medicine,” said Alma Littles, M.D., dean of the college. “CHP has been a great friend to the college and FSU, and we are eternally grateful not only for CHP’s support, but also for its commitment to medical education and the health of our communities. Because of CHP, we are more effectively meeting the health care needs of Floridians.”

The Bridge scholarship fund is expected to make its first award in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Anthony Speights, M.D., director of the College of Medicine's Bridge to Clinical Medicine master's program, addresses the Class of 2023 at their annual end-of-year presentation and luncheon.

Contact Patrick Crowley at Patrick.Crowley@med.fsu.edu