A special scholarship program is ensuring that some of Alabama's most rural areas have access to doctors. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Medical Scholarship Program covers the final two years of medical school for students who commit to working at least three years in an underserved area of Alabama.

This initiative has enabled 60 doctors to fill gaps in Primary Care, Mental Health, Maternal Health, Nursing, Family Medicine, Family Medicine Obstetrics, Certified Nurse Midwifery, and Dentistry in rural parts of the state.

Highlands Primary Care in Scottsboro is one of several clinics benefiting from the program. Dr. Chelsea Clark at Highlands Primary Care was a part of the program. She says patients having access to local care is crucial.

Dr. Clark said, “People can’t travel,

See Full Page