Aetna Foundation Scholars Programs

Diversifying the next generation of health care professionals and researchers is an important part of the Aetna Foundation’s efforts to support high-quality health care for all population groups.  Studies show that health care professionals from low-income or minority populations are more likely than those from affluent backgrounds to practice medicine among medically underserved and safety-net population groups.

The Aetna Foundation is proud to support the following programs:

The AcademyHealth/Aetna Foundation Minority Scholars Program



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Founded in 2010, the AcademyHealth/Aetna Foundation Minority Scholars Program provides professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities for graduate-level students, post-doctoral fellows and other researchers to attract more men and women from underrepresented groups to the field of racial and ethnic disparities research in health outcomes and access to health care. 

Meet the AcademyHealth/Aetna Foundation Minority Scholars


The Aetna Foundation/National Medical Fellowship Healthcare Leadership Program

In 2011, in partnership with National Medical Fellowships (NMF), the Aetna Foundation established the Aetna Foundation/NMF Healthcare Leadership Program to provide scholarships to second- and third-year medical students from underrepresented minority groups.  Recipients commit to practice medicine in medically underserved communities and are distinguished by their community service and leadership potential.

Meet the Aetna Foundation/National Medical Fellowships Scholars

The Four Directions Summer Research Program

Since 1994, the Four Directions Summer Research Program in Boston, Mass., has offered an eight-week summer research experience at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) college students.  With the goal of increasing the number of AI/AN representatives in medicine, science and health care, the program provides students with a mentored research project combined with an extensive career development curriculum. 

Meet the Four Directions Summer Research Program Scholars

National Academy Foundation

Learn more about the Academy of Health Sciences.

 
The Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative  

A $2 million grant to the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Conn., helped expand the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative, enrichment programs for underserved Hartford, Conn.-area middle and high school students to encourage them to pursue careers in health and science.  Since the program was launched in 1996, more than 1,000 participating students have entered careers in health care.

Learn more about the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative.