The Wellmark Foundation and Drake University announced today they will fund two-year scholarships for local health care employees or their family members through the new John Dee Bright Wellmark Health Care Appreciation Scholarship. The organizations have each committed $90,000 to fund a total of six scholarships, each valued at $30,000, for the two-year Bright College program.

Bright College admissions staff members will select two employees or their dependents from each of these Des Moines health systems: Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines, and UnityPoint Health-Des Moines. Scholarship recipients will be eligible to enroll in the college starting this fall semester.

“The Wellmark Foundation is committed to positively impacting the well-being of communities we serve, including the outstanding, dedicated health care workers of Central Iowa,” said Cory Harris, chairman, president and CEO of Wellmark Inc. and chairman of its charitable foundation. “Higher education, and the opportunities it unlocks, can benefit the health and well-being of individuals, their families and communities. We are grateful to be able to give back to those who do so much for us all.”

Launched by Drake in September 2020, Bright College welcomed its inaugural class of students to campus last year. With an annual tuition set at $18,500, the program is designed to encourage greater diversity by attracting qualified students who may not have considered Drake attainable, whether for cultural, economic or other reasons. All Bright College graduates are guaranteed admission, with full credit transfer, to a Drake University four-year degree program.

“We created Bright College with the motivating belief that Drake University can, through education, empower individuals of all ages and from all backgrounds to enhance their lives and the lives of others,” Drake University President Marty Martin said in a statement. “The individuals who will receive these scholarships have proven their dedication to enhancing lives and have done so during a time in which we’ve made historic asks of their service. We are grateful to the leadership of the Wellmark Foundation for sharing our vision and making these scholarships possible.”

The organizations did not state in the announcement whether the scholarship program is intended to be an ongoing initiative for further funding beyond the initial six scholarships. Drake spokesman Jarad Bernstein said that “at this time,” it’s a one-time award.

Since its inception in 1991, the Wellmark Foundation has awarded nearly $58 million in grant and project funding to initiatives that benefit the well-being of Iowans and South Dakotans.

Interested health care workers from the eligible health systems can apply at this link to the Bright College application page.