Wellpoint Health Establishes Research Award Endowment at Kean University to Advance Black Maternal and Infant Health Research
The Wellpoint Health Research Award Endowment at the Kean University Foundation creates an annual award for a junior, senior or graduate student with a minimum 3.0 GPA majoring in biological sciences, statistical science, public health or sociology.
Wellpoint Health has established the Wellpoint Health Research Award Endowment at Kean University to support student research focused on Black maternal and infant health through the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research.
The award will empower Kean students to conduct research that expands knowledge and advocacy in a critical public health area while informing policy that affects communities within Kean’s footprint and beyond.
Dr. Patrick Fox, CEO of Wellpoint New Jersey, said the investment reflects the organization’s commitment to improving health outcomes in urban communities through partnerships with institutions like Kean.
“Advancing equitable healthcare requires collaboration and new ideas,” Fox said. “By partnering with Kean University, we are supporting students whose research can deepen understanding of maternal and infant health disparities and help shape solutions that benefit communities.”
The $50,000 endowment at the Kean University Foundation creates an annual award for a junior, senior or graduate student with a minimum 3.0 GPA majoring in biological sciences, statistical science, public health or sociology. Recipients will work with the Watson Institute team on project-based research that explores pressing public health challenges, including reproductive health and maternal and child health.
“We are grateful for Wellpoint’s investment in our students and in the important work taking place at the John S. Watson Institute,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “This endowment will empower our students to pursue research that addresses health disparities, while advancing Kean’s mission of fostering meaningful public impact.”
The research supported by the award will contribute to the Watson Institute’s ongoing work to analyze issues affecting urban communities and translate findings into policy insights. By engaging students directly in applied research, the initiative expands opportunities for experiential learning while helping address urgent public health challenges.
Dr. Michael James ’98 of Wellpoint said the partnership highlights the growing reach of Kean’s academic and research initiatives. James serves on the Board of Directors at Wenzhou-Kean University, which is Kean’s campus in China.
“Kean continues to expand its impact through innovative research and global collaboration,” James said. “Supporting students who are working on issues as important as maternal and infant health demonstrates how universities can help generate knowledge that benefits communities locally and far beyond campus.”
Joseph Youngblood II, Ph.D., chancellor for Kean Ocean and Kean Global, who oversees the Watson Institute, noted that the award will strengthen the institute’s ability to involve students in research that informs public policy.
“The Watson Institute plays a vital role in connecting research to the most pressing real-world issues facing New Jersey today,” Youngblood said. “This award allows students to contribute directly to projects that examine health disparities and generate insights that can guide decision-makers and improve outcomes in communities.”
Wellpoint leaders visited Kean’s campus in early March to present the gift and celebrate the partnership.