IBX Healthcare Scholars Program Opens Doors for Immaculata Nursing Students

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation Healthcare Scholars Program (IBX Healthcare Scholarship Program) creates educational pathways for underrepresented undergraduate nursing students. The program offers full academic scholarships, mentorship and academic support for graduating high school students looking to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. IBX Scholarship Program provides colleges funding to distribute as full tuition scholarships to students as they progress through their college careers.

Anshu Patel

Naila Valdez from North Philadelphia, Anshu Patel from Pottstown and Yaskara Albarado Claros from West Chester were the first Immaculata students honored as IBX Healthcare Scholars for the 2023-2024 academic year. All three are members of the class of 2027.

To meet program criteria, admissions counselors evaluated potential candidates based on various factors, including underrepresented student status, GPA, class rigor, standardized test scores and class rank. Immaculata’s Division of Nursing faculty collaborated with the counselors to choose the three scholarship recipients.

The IBX Healthcare Scholars Program is renewed annually based on a review of each student’s GPA. Valdez, Patel, and Albarado Claros have all received the scholarship again for the 2024-25 academic year. A year after receiving the scholarship for the first time, each student acknowledged its significant and ongoing impact.

Naila Valdez

Valdez, Patel and Albarado Claros all firmly agreed that the IBX Healthcare Scholars Program has opened doors and created opportunities that would not have been accessible or as feasible otherwise.

“The scholarship has made a significant difference for my family and me,” stated Valdez.  “Growing up, my parents worked hard to provide for my siblings and me, so knowing I won’t have to go into debt for my education is a huge relief. It means so much to my mother and me that I can complete my studies without the burden of financial strain,” stated Valdez.

Patel was also grateful for the scholarship, since it has allowed her to shift her focus from the cost of tuition and the need to work extra hours to her studies.

Yaskara Albarado Claros

For Albarado Claros, the scholarship contributed to her choosing to attend Immaculata. “The scholarship has been a tremendous help for me and my family. I was worried about balancing expenses for books, housing and food while managing tuition. It all felt so overwhelming, especially as I hadn’t even finished high school yet. It really lifted the weight off my shoulders, allowing me to focus on my studies and build friendships without the constant pressure of debt.”

In addition to the scholarship, all three students say they enrolled in Immaculata’s nursing program based on its reputation for quality education, small class sizes and the high NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) first-time passing rate of 97.92%.

With an eye on the future, Valdez says she is interested in exploring various nursing paths, including labor and delivery, NICU nurse practitioner and travel nursing with athletic teams. Albarado Claros shares Valdez’s aspiration of becoming a NICU nurse, while Patel is focused on a career as either a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist.

Learn more about applying to Immaculata’s nursing program. For additional questions, contact admiss@immaculata.edu.