WS Chronicle

Staff Report

Winston-Salem Chronicle

As the landscape of American healthcare shifts toward a more diverse and tech-driven future, Advocate Health — the parent organization of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist — is putting its money where the community is.

This month, the health giant announced a $200,000 scholarship cycle aimed at removing the financial barriers that often keep Winston-Salem’s brightest students from entering the medical field. With 40 individual awards of $5,000 each, the initiative isn’t just looking for the next generation of surgeons; it’s looking for the next generation of IT specialists, business administrators, and lab technicians.

Breaking the “GPA Barrier”

For many local students at institutions like elite scholarships often feel out of reach due to “perfect” academic requirements. Advocate Health’s 2026 program takes a more inclusive approach:

• High School Seniors: A minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5.

• College Students: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

By lowering the barrier to entry while maintaining a standard of excellence, the fund aims to reach “strivers”—students who are balancing work, family, and education but demonstrate a passion for serving their community.

More Than Just Bedside Care

A common misconception is that a “healthcare scholarship” is only for nursing or pre-med tracks. Advocate Health has explicitly expanded the 2026 criteria to include:

• STEM & Tech: Cybersecurity, data analytics, and laboratory sciences.

• Business Operations: Human Resources, Finance, and Hospital Administration.

“These scholarships help remove financial barriers for students who are passionate about serving their communities,” said Michelle Smith, Vice President of Workforce Development at Advocate Health. For a student at Forsyth Tech, a $5,000 award can cover an entire year of tuition and books, effectively providing a debt-free path to a career in the city’s largest employment sector.

A “Lift as You Climb” Model for Workers

The investment doesn’t stop with external students. For those already working within the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist system—whether in environmental services, food nutrition, or patient transport—the organization has launched a “Direct Pay” revolution.

Starting in 2026, the new InStride Upfront Tuition benefit allows full-time teammates to access up to $5,250 annually for education. Unlike traditional reimbursement programs where workers must pay out-of-pocket and wait months to be paid back, this program pays the school directly.

For the Chronicle reader, this means a entry-level job at the hospital today could be the ticket to a debt-free degree tomorrow.

How to Apply

While the spring window recently closed on March 31, local students are encouraged to prepare for the Fall 2026 application cycle, which typically opens in mid-August.

Eligibility Requirements at a Glance:

• Residency: Must be a resident of North Carolina (or IL, WI, GA).

• Status: Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

• Preference: Given to those with financial need or those who have participated in Advocate Health workforce development programs.

For more information and to monitor upcoming deadlines, visit: aah.awardspring.com