Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is investing $2.5 million in Wichita State University, with $1.8 million earmarked as the lead gift to the Wichita Biomedical Campus. The remaining $700,000 will create two endowed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas nursing scholarships in the WSU College of Health Professions.

“Most of the biggest moments in our lives are tied to health care in some way,” said Matt All, president and CEO of BCBSKS. “The Wichita Biomedical Campus will help make those moments better for Kansans by training the health care workers of the future and empowering them with the best tools and research. We’re thrilled to be a part of making it happen.”

The $1.8 million gift will go toward the remaining $16 million project cost and will ensure that clinical space is included in the $222 million Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus construction. The inclusion of a clinic within the campus is an important element of providing applied learning for students while also increasing access to medical services.

“We are thankful for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ investment that will provide clinical space in the same building that contains our labs and classrooms and puts hands-on learning opportunities right in front of every student in the College of Health Professions,” says Dr. Richard Muma, WSU president. “It’s a direct application of our university’s vision to provide impactful applied learning experiences.” 

The support for this clinical space demonstrates the commitment of the university and BCBSKS to invest in critical infrastructure for health care access in Kansas and to provide sustained support to cultivate a diverse and skilled health care workforce.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas have been an important partner to WSU for more than 40 years,” says Telly McGaha, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “They have demonstrated a continuous commitment to the education of health care providers, from empowering nursing students to creating community education opportunities. We are thrilled to have their partnership in this ground-breaking project for Wichita State and the Wichita community as a whole.”

Creating spaces for students to thrive is only one facet of holistic student support. With the support of BCBSKS in creating two endowed nursing scholarships, students will be able to pursue their degrees without financial burden, opening doors for many passionate health advocates who may not otherwise have the means to pursue a career in health care.

The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Scholarship will be designated for nursing students enrolled in WSU’s RN-BSN online programs and are current residents of any Kansas county other than Johnson, Wyandotte or Sedgwick counties. The Nursing Scholarship will be for nursing students who have documented economic hardship and/or are able to demonstrate through essay they are bilingual or have overcome socioeconomic or other hardships.

“The School of Nursing extends its gratitude to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas for their visionary support and investment in nursing health care providers of today and tomorrow,” says Dr. Gregory Hand, dean of the WSU College of Health Professions. “Their commitment to fostering a diverse and skilled nursing workforce, while also enhancing workforce development in rural and underserved areas of Kansas, is a significant step towards improving health care access and availability for all Kansans.”

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Wichita State University is leading the Wichita Biomedical Campus and is not affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

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The WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement is dedicated to elevating, celebrating and advancing Wichita State University’s mission by fostering a culture of philanthropy, strengthening alumni connections and creating opportunities for lifelong engagement. Through meaningful partnerships with donors, alumni and the broader Shocker community, the office supports student success, innovative research and campus development.

Whether through scholarships, capital projects or program funding, the WSUFAE empowers individuals to leave an impactful legacy while ensuring WSU remains an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.

Learn more about the WSUFAE at https://foundation.wichita.edu/.

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The Wichita Biomedical Campus, a $300 million health sciences facility currently in development in the heart of downtown Wichita, will create a thriving health care corridor where health care services, education, research and technology can be established near existing private hospitals and health care providers. Developed in partnership among Wichita State University, the University of Kansas and WSU Tech, this state-of-the-art campus will strengthen collaboration and support interprofessional health care learning, while forwarding opportunities for partnerships in new and emerging research fields.

Construction of the first phase, which accounts for $222 million of the total cost, is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026.

For more information, visit wichita.edu/wichitabiomedicalcampus.