UK St. Claire Funds Brighter Futures for Students, Better Care for Patients

MOREHEAD, Ky.– As students across Kentucky settle back into another school year, UK St. Claire (UKSC) is investing in the future of medicine by expanding scholarships for medical education at nearby colleges and universities. Through partnerships with the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, and Maysville Community and Technical College, UKSC is helping remove financial barriers for aspiring health professionals while addressing critical workforce shortages in rural Northeastern Kentucky.

All eight counties in UKSC’s service area — Bath, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan — are federally designated Health Provider Shortage Areas. The scholarship program ensures local students can pursue education in high-demand health care fields while committing to serve patients close to home after graduation.

The scholarships are funded jointly by UKSC and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) through the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund (HWIF). Preference is given to students from underserved counties in Kentucky. Awards cover more than tuition, including books, fees, uniforms, travel and equipment. In return, scholarship recipients agree to work at UKSC after graduation for a period proportional to their financial assistance.

“UK St. Claire strongly believes in higher education, and our partnership with the University of Kentucky allows us to extend support to other institutions as well,” said Donald H. Lloyd II, president and CEO of UK St. Claire. “These scholarships are an investment in our communities, ensuring that we not only train but also retain the next generation of medical professionals in the region. I want to thank the CPE for advocating for students and partnering with us to support them.”

To be considered for a scholarship, students must first be accepted into their academic program and then complete an interview with UKSC during their first month of study. Instructors at each partner institution promote the scholarship within their programs.

At the University of Kentucky, physician assistant (PA) students will benefit from $320,000 in combined UKSC and CPE funds, providing full tuition coverage for five students over two years. The program, ranked among the top 10% nationally, has a proven track record of preparing graduates for rural practice.

Morehead State University students in nursing and radiologic science programs will also receive scholarships this year, supported by a total $1.5 million UKSC investment in scholarships and other educational opportunities at MSU this year. With Kentucky facing a projected shortage of nearly 49,000 nurses by 2031, UKSC’s support helps address urgent workforce needs.

Maysville Community and Technical College students in respiratory therapy and physical therapy assistant programs will share in $220,000 in funding through 2029. The program focuses on recruiting low-income students from the 14-county service area, where poverty and unemployment rates exceed state and national averages.

“At UK St. Claire, creating access and opportunities is a top priority when it comes to education,” said Kayla Harrison, UKSC director of talent management. “We are grateful to provide scholarships that remove financial obstacles for students while also building a sustainable pipeline of well-trained professionals to keep our rural communities healthy.”

In addition to student scholarships, UKSC invested $1 million in fiscal year 2025 for continuing education for its staff. The health system raises scholarship dollars through grant funding and support from The St. Claire Foundation, which will host its annual Signature Event gala Oct. 4 at the Morehead Conference Center to help grow funds for such programming.

Since launching its scholarship program seven years ago, UKSC has supported 56 students, with 75% coming from Kentucky and 32% from rural areas. The first recipient benefitting from the matching funds from CPE was accepted in June 2024.

“Back to school is a time of opportunity and growth, and UK St. Claire is proud to help make higher education possible for students who will, in turn, make health care more accessible in our region,” Lloyd said.

UK St. Claire includes a growing medical staff of more than 125 physicians and nearly 70 advanced practice professionals representing more than 30 medical specialties. It consists of the hospital, seven primary care locations located within five counties, a multi-specialty medical pavilion, two urgent care centers, a pediatrics clinic, as well as a retail pharmacy, counseling center, medical equipment and supply store, and an outpatient center. Additionally, UK St. Claire provides home health and hospice services in eight counties. UK St. Claire is dedicated to continuing its vision to provide clinical and service excellence in a personalized manner, build a leading medical community that provides a seamless system of care and education, and enhance the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve by promoting physical, spiritual, social and emotional well-being.