Blue Shield of California Committed to Training Future Medical Assistants with $80,000 Scholarships

Supporting Future Medical Professionals

In a significant move aimed at bolstering the healthcare workforce in San Diego, the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan has introduced an $80,000 scholarship initiative for aspiring medical assistants. This initiative specifically targets students enrolled at the Laura Rodriguez Medical Assistant Institute (LRMAI), which is managed by the Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD). The program seeks to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the region while promoting equitable, affordable, and sustainable healthcare access.

Investment in Community Health

The $80,000 sponsorship highlights Blue Shield Promise's unwavering commitment to workforce development initiatives. These scholarships will benefit students who are part of the 2026 cohorts of the medical assistant training program, beginning their lessons in January 2026. The course offers both full-time and part-time options, encompassing a total of 710 hours of instruction. Graduates will be well-prepared to step into roles as medical assistants within the local healthcare system, providing essential services to the community.

Jennifer Schirmer, Blue Shield Promise's Vice President of Medi-Cal Growth and Community Engagement, expressed that this initiative surpasses mere funding. She states, "It’s about creating opportunities. By investing in local talent and expanding educational access, we are nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals who will reinforce San Diego's healthcare system by increasing the number of trained practitioners in the region."

Flexibility and Accessibility

What sets this scholarship initiative apart is that the employment and reimbursement requirements typically imposed by other scholarship programs do not apply. This flexibility allows recipients to pursue diverse career pathways within San Diego's healthcare workforce without the conventional constraints.

Fran Butler-Cohen, the CEO of Family Health Centers of San Diego, remarked, "Blue Shield Promise’s scholarship program directly invests in individuals who will shape the future of community healthcare in our region. By broadening access to medical assistant training, we are creating professional paths that tackle the workforce shortage and enhance access to care for all residents of San Diego."

Building on Existing Partnerships

This scholarship initiative builds upon the existing relationship between Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and Family Health Centers of San Diego. Their partnership began in 2022, marked by a $1 million grant aimed at expanding cardiac care services in the eastern San Diego County, which ultimately led to the establishment of the El Cajon Urgent and Cardiac Care Center.

The commitment from Blue Shield to support educational programs indicates a dynamic approach to addressing healthcare challenges within the community. By focusing on both training and employment, this initiative aligns with broader goals to ensure that underserved and low-income populations receive quality healthcare.

Join the Open House

Aiming to inform and attract prospective students, a special open house will take place at the Oak Park Family Health Center on December 16, 2025, between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. This event invites those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare to learn more about the opportunities available through the Laura Rodriguez Medical Assistant Institute.

About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, serving Medi-Cal members primarily in the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego. With a member-first philosophy, the organization is dedicated to fostering a robust network of quality providers and collaborating with community organizations to serve approximately 580,000 members. Rated 4 out of 5 by the NCQA in the 2024 Medicaid Health Plan Ratings, Blue Shield Promise continues to prioritize health equity and access across its service areas. For more information, visit Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan.