Cook County Health and the Health Foundation of Cook County today announced the fifth cohort of Provident Scholarship Fund awardees, awarding $1.3M in scholarships to 93 students pursuing healthcare careers.

This year’s scholarship distributions brings the program’s cumulative total to more than $5 million awarded to over 300 students since the fund’s inception in 2022, with a significant portion of this year’s funding supporting returning scholars who are advancing through their multi-year degree programs.

“When we invest in the next generation of medical providers, we aren’t just funding individual degrees. We are anchoring healthy communities with providers who come from their communities and understand them,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “I’m proud that this year’s Provident Scholarship Fund awards mark a cumulative $5 million commitment to our medical students and healthcare system that will make Cook County healthier and stronger.” 

The Provident Scholarship Fund provides financial relief across two distinct tiers:

• $20,000 Scholarships: Awarded to advanced health professional students, including those enrolled in doctorate-level medical and dental tracks, as well as physician assistant, behavioral health, and nurse practitioner programs.
• $10,000 Scholarships: Awarded to undergraduate and allied health students pursuing critical roles in nursing, surgical and radiology technology, respiratory therapy, and paramedic programs.

The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of upwards of 86,000 physicians by 2036. While the American Hospital Association projects a shortage of more than 100,000 healthcare workers nationally by 2028.

“Hospitals across the nation are grappling with severe, chronic staffing shortages,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO of Cook County Health. “We all see the statistics, and the projected gaps of tens of thousands of nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health specialists, and physicians. But as healthcare leaders and concerned citizens, we cannot simply look at data projections and wait for the problem to resolve itself. We have to build our own pipeline. We have to reverse engineer the solution.”

“Many scholarship programs invest in education. The Provident Scholarship Fund invests in the future health of our communities,” said Verlon Johnson, Chair of the Health Foundation of Cook County. “Through this program, we are supporting talented students whose compassion, resilience, and commitment to service will help shape healthier communities for generations to come. We are proud to support their journeys and honored to celebrate the promise they represent for Cook County and beyond.”

The scholarship fund is named in honor of Cook County Health’s historic Provident Hospital. Founded in 1891 by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Provident Hospital holds a legendary legacy as the first African American-owned and operated hospital in the United States. Today’s scholarship fund actively advances that foundational mission of equitable healthcare by dismantling financial barriers for the next generation of diverse medical pioneers.

The Provident Hospital Scholarship Fund remains a cornerstone among the broader educational and equitable initiatives championed by Cook County Government, including Project Rainbow, which aims to inform, inspire, and materially impact children, students, and working families across the county.

You can watch event coverage aquí.