At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, health literacy had a true champion in Alisha Ellwood Odhiambo. Alisha was a beloved Blue Cross associate on the Star Ratings, Quality and Risk Adjustment Center of Excellence team who passed away unexpectedly in 2023.

Alisha worked at Blue Cross for 28 years. She had a passion for health literacy and brought the issue to the forefront during her tenure with the company.

She founded and chaired the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership, where she pioneered statewide health literacy efforts. She also worked with Governor Tim Walz on a proclamation declaring October as Health Literacy Month in Minnesota.

Alisha inspired many people during her life and was committed to making health communications clear and understandable to all Minnesotans. In her honor, Blue Cross started a scholarship fund soon after her passing to educate and inspire the next generation of health literacy scholars.

“Alisha inspired many of us to become advocates for health literacy and taught us the right way to do it,” said former colleague and Blue Cross Director of Health Equity Integration Rosemond Owens. “I witnessed firsthand how she tirelessly worked on both the local and national stage to bring visibility to this critical issue. It warms my heart to see Blue Cross bring her vision to life, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire future generations."

The importance of health literacy

Health literacy refers to the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain,  understand and use basic health information so they can make informed health decisions. People of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels are affected by limited health literacy. Taking steps to improve health literacy rates is critical to advancing health equity.

Announcing a scholarship program in Alisha’s honor

The Alisha Faye Ellwood Odhiambo Health Literacy Scholarship that Blue Cross established is administered by the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership, a program that Alisha founded and chaired. One scholarship will be awarded each year during the nationally recognized October Health Literacy Month.

The scholarship winner will receive:

• $10,000 scholarship award toward tuition, books, and fees.
• Paid enrollment in the Health Literacy Specialist Certificate Program from the Institution for Healthcare Advancement (IHA).
• Membership with the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership.
• Semester-long internship with the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership. The internship project can be applied towards a degree requirement such as a final thesis or research experience.

Timeline

• Submissions are due by Aug. 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m. CST
• Award notification: Oct. 1, 2024
• Complete IHA Health Literacy Specialist Certification: Dec. 31, 2024
• Internship start date: Jan. 15, 2025
• Internship end date: May 18, 2025 (option to extend internship into summer)

Eligibility and application

Visit Literacy Minnesota’s website for full details about scholarship eligibility, application requirements and how to submit application materials.