CVS Health Announces $5 Million Scholarship Program to Support Future Pharmacists in Louisiana [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationInvestment aims to strengthen the pharmacy workforce and expand access to care across the stateBATON ROUGE, La., Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) today announced the launch of a new $5 million scholarship program designed to support aspiring pharmacists in the state of Louisiana. The initiative will provide financial assistance to students pursuing thei ...

Core Insights - Hematology Oncology of Indiana (HOI) has welcomed Dr. Amy Braden, a Board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist, to its physician team, enhancing its capacity to provide patient-centered cancer care [1][4] Company Overview - Hematology Oncology of Indiana is a community-based practice that offers comprehensive cancer care services across six locations in Indiana, including metropolitan Indianapolis and surrounding areas [3][8] - The practice focuses on delivering high-quality cancer services, including specialty infusion services, pathology, pharmacy, clinical trials, and BiTE therapy, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient treatment [3] Professional Background - Dr. Braden has over 10 years of experience in patient care, having completed her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University and her residency and fellowship at reputable institutions [2] - Her addition to the team is expected to enhance the quality of care provided to patients, aligning with HOI's commitment to personalized treatment [3][4] Network Expansion - American Oncology Network (AON), which HOI is a part of, is rapidly expanding, representing over 300 providers across 20 states since its founding in 2018 [7] - AON aims to improve patient outcomes through innovative healthcare solutions and a physician-led model that promotes value-based care [7]

Research Focus & Challenges - Research focusing on minority communities and underserved populations is being devalued and defunded [1] - Defunding health equity research leads to the loss of community stories, experiences, and connections [1] - Researchers are facing challenges in continuing their work due to defunding, impacting their ability to pay participants, staff, and purchase necessary materials [1] Personal Impact & Concerns - Researchers express anger, frustration, disillusionment, and exhaustion due to the challenges in conducting research that focuses on communities with the greatest needs [2] - Early-career researchers are being asked not to study who they are, leading to feelings of being tired and disillusioned [2] - There is uncertainty about the future of health equity research and a need for support to continue this work [5][6] Systemic Issues & Advocacy - Current systems are perceived as primarily serving the wealthy, well-educated, and well-connected, neglecting vulnerable populations [1] - All communities deserve care that prioritizes and personalizes services to their individual health needs [1] - The research is shaped by personal experiences, values, and a desire to improve health access and outcomes for communities [1] - Researchers advocate for fostering a community focused on advancing health and equity in all communities [8]

Core Insights - Hawai'i Cancer Care has opened a new clinic in Kahului, Maui, enhancing access to cancer care for local residents [1][3] - The new clinic will operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, staffed by board-certified oncologists and a nurse practitioner [2] - The expansion brings the total number of Hawai'i Cancer Care locations to three, emphasizing a patient-centered approach and comprehensive cancer treatment [3][5] Company Overview - Hawai'i Cancer Care focuses on individualized, precision-based cancer treatment and supportive care, serving patients in O'ahu and Maui for over 20 years [5] - The practice employs a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive care using advanced technology and clinical trial access [5][6] - The organization is committed to providing emotional and educational support to patients and their families throughout the cancer journey [6][7] Industry Context - American Oncology Network (AON) supports community oncology practices like Hawai'i Cancer Care, promoting long-term success and viability [8] - AON's network includes over 300 providers across 20 states, focusing on value-based care to improve patient outcomes while reducing costs [8] - The organization aims to address disparities in cancer care, ensuring equitable access to treatment for all patients [8]

Core Insights - Tilray Medical has announced significant updates to its pricing programs in Canada, aimed at enhancing affordability and accessibility for medical cannabis patients [1][5] Group 1: Pricing Program Updates - The Compassionate Pricing program has increased the annual income eligibility threshold from $32,500 CAD to $65,000 CAD, allowing more patients to qualify for support [2] - Patients enrolled in the Compassionate Pricing program will continue to benefit from promotional campaigns and additional savings opportunities [2] - The 'Seniors Pricing' program has been strengthened to better support elderly patients, while dedicated programs for first responders and pediatric patients remain in place [3] Group 2: Specialized Support Programs - Tilray Medical continues to provide specialized support through the 'Warrior Wellness' program for Veterans and the 'First Responders Appreciation' program, ensuring personalized care and streamlined access to medical cannabis [4] - The company emphasizes its commitment to health equity, empowering various groups, including seniors, veterans, and families, to access medical cannabis affordably [5] Group 3: Company Overview - Tilray Medical is a leading supplier of medical cannabis, with a global portfolio of brands and products designed to meet patient needs [6] - The company has evolved from being one of the first licensed producers of medical cannabis in Canada to establishing GMP-certified production facilities in Portugal and Germany [6]

Safety Net Hospitals' Role - Safety net hospitals, comprising only 5% of US hospitals, provide 28% of all charity or free care in the country [1] - These hospitals serve the poor, vulnerable, uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid patients, acting as a crucial safety net [1] - Safety net hospitals offer essential services like emergency care, primary care, behavioral health, preventive checkups, cancer screenings, and trauma care [1] Financial Challenges - Safety net hospitals face inadequate reimbursement rates that don't cover the cost of care for the poor, leading to financial strain [1] - Underpayment results in deferred maintenance, outdated technology (e g, mammogram machines), and excessive wait times due to lean staffing [1] - Reimbursement for the same procedure at a safety net hospital can be 40% to 100% less compared to other hospitals due to patient's Medicaid insurance or lack of coverage [1] Systemic Impact - The closure or curbing of services at safety net hospitals can lead to overcrowded emergency rooms and delayed surgeries, affecting the entire healthcare system [5][6][8] - A weakened safety net disproportionately affects those who lose jobs, employer-based insurance, or are young adults aging out of their parents' insurance [7][8] - The value of a healthcare system lies in ensuring everyone has a place to land, emphasizing that access to healthcare is interwoven and not a gated community [10] Call to Action - The industry urges recognition, support, and appropriate funding for safety net hospitals to prevent their decline [12][13] - It emphasizes that healthcare is a right for everyone, not just a privilege for a few, and calls for health justice [1][12] - The industry asks to look beyond appearances and see the people receiving care and the mission-driven healthcare professionals in these hospitals [10][11]

Cultural Understanding & Healthcare Disparities - Traditional Lakota health views well-being holistically, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects, which may differ from Western medicine's focus [4][5] - Generosity and community responsibility are central values, where individuals are expected to support their neighbors' needs [13] - Respectful communication involves using relative terms (uncle, auntie) to address others, reflecting the importance of extended family connections [18] - Historical trauma from colonization, land loss, and forced assimilation policies significantly impacts Native American health, leading to issues like substance abuse, depression, and suicide [27][39][40] - Native Americans face significant healthcare disparities, including lower life expectancy and higher rates of certain diseases compared to other populations [44][46] Systemic Challenges & Funding - The Indian Health Service (IHS) is chronically underfunded, impacting access to care and resources for Native American communities [22][51] - Limited funding forces difficult decisions in prioritizing referrals for off-reservation care, often restricting access to essential services [52] - Historical events, such as forced sterilization without consent, contribute to distrust in the healthcare system among Native Americans [54][55] - Food insecurity and limited access to healthy food options contribute to health problems like obesity and heart disease in Native American communities [41][42][43] Solutions & Future Directions - Increased education and understanding of Native American culture and history are crucial for healthcare providers to improve patient care and build trust [53][56] - Supporting Native American individuals in pursuing healthcare careers and returning to their communities can improve access to culturally competent care [59][60]

Core Insights - Tevogen Bio Holdings Inc. has been recognized in BINJE's BEST Health Care 2025 for its commitment to health equity and innovation in sustainable biopharma [1][2] - The company's focus is on developing affordable T cell therapies for acute viral infections and cancers, utilizing its proprietary ExacTcell™ platform [2] Company Overview - Tevogen Bio is dedicated to advancing health equity by ensuring access to life-saving medications through a sustainable biopharma model [2] - The company operates a lean, capital-efficient structure that avoids licensing overhead by fully owning its core intellectual property [2] - Tevogen's CD8+ T cell therapies are designed to reduce manufacturing complexity and costs, aligning with U.S. healthcare priorities [2] Technological Advancements - The launch of Tevogen.AI aims to accelerate therapeutic discovery and development through advanced algorithms and partnerships with Microsoft and Databricks [2] Recognition and Community - Tevogen expresses gratitude to BINJE and congratulates other honorees in the health care sector for their achievements [3]

Core Insights - The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) announced the 2025 ACE Awards, recognizing impactful programs that transform workforce development in healthcare [1][2] - AstraZeneca's Young Health Programme (YHP) and Viseven's Expert Communities and Unicorns Recognition Program were honored for their innovative approaches to employee engagement and health equity [1][6] AstraZeneca's Young Health Programme (YHP) - YHP is a global health equity initiative aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and fostering leadership among employees [2] - The program has reached over 20 million young people in more than 40 countries, partnering with over 60 non-profit organizations, including UNICEF [3] - YHP has mobilized 20,000 AstraZeneca employees, contributing nearly 100,000 hours of volunteer service [3] - The initiative has influenced 18 NCD prevention-related policies globally and creates leadership pathways for youth and employees [4] Viseven's Expert Communities and Unicorns Recognition Program - Viseven's program focuses on internal engagement and collaboration, consisting of Expert Communities for professional development and a gamified Unicorns Recognition Program [6][7] - Over 700 employees are engaged in these initiatives, enhancing peer connections and fostering a culture of innovation [8] - The program aims to build a strong internal culture that supports sustainable growth and employee empowerment [10] Event and Recognition - Both AstraZeneca and Viseven will be honored at the 2025 HBA Annual Conference in Las Vegas from September 29 to October 1 [11] - The HBA serves as a global leadership accelerator and talent pipeline for the healthcare industry, impacting nearly six million employees [12]

Health Equity & Disparities - The US ranks 38th globally in health outcomes out of 196 countries [6] - The US has the highest rates of infant mortality, low birth weight, and maternal mortality, ranking 55th globally in maternal mortality with almost 33 deaths per 100,000 [7] - Maternal mortality rates are 3-9 times higher for African-Americans and 19 times higher for Native Americans [8] - Mortality rates for white non-Hispanics in the US have increased, primarily due to suicide, poisoning/overdose with opioids, and alcoholic liver disease [12] Social Determinants of Health - Health is significantly affected by poverty, discrimination, powerlessness, housing affordability, mental health, and the opioid crisis [4] - Policies such as seat belts, education, transportation, housing, and living wages impact health [6][31] - Lack of prenatal care is a significant issue, with approximately 30% of American counties lacking such care [11] Medical Education & Systemic Issues - Academic medicine is described as a highly toxic environment needing cultural change from the top down [18][19] - Medical education needs to change its culture, admissions processes, and curricula to address health equity [16] - There is a lack of empathy from physicians, with only 20% of patient visits reflecting empathy [20] - Significant disparities exist in medical education, with only 8% of American medical students being African-American and low representation in faculty and clinical chairs [24] - Women in medicine earn an average of $2 million less than men with the same specialty over their careers [27] Proposed Solutions & Initiatives - Implementing community-based programs before medical students begin their studies to build trust and address social determinants of health [21] - Supporting free education to improve economic outcomes and overall well-being [15] - Changing pre-med requirements and focusing on character and virtues like humility and empathy [24][29][30] - Embedding students in the community to understand the plight of underserved populations [28]