The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is pleased to launch the Charlene Maher Nursing Scholarship at four Idaho colleges and universities. The first four recipients are College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho, Idaho State University and Lewis Clark State College.

The new program will provide $10,000 in funding to schools to award to students studying to become nurses. The scholarship program named for recently retired Blue Cross of Idaho CEO Charlene Maher, who began her career in healthcare as a nurse. The Foundation plans to expand the scholarship program at public Idaho colleges and universities that offer nursing degrees.

“Idaho has a severe healthcare workforce shortage, especially in the area of nursing,” said Kendra Witt-Doyle, Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. “Nurses have a vital role in our healthcare system, and these scholarships will help ease the financial burden of deserving students who wish to become nurses in Idaho.”