Humana, CenterWell and National Hispanic Medical Association Announce 2026 Resident Physician Scholarship Program Recipients

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana and its health care services business, CenterWell, announce the inaugural Resident Physician Scholarship Program recipients. In partnership with the National Hispanic Medical Association, the scholarship is designed to support seven bilingual (English/Spanish) internal medicine and family medicine residents in Florida. The program provides each winner with $10,000 for educational and professional development, a structured mentorship program from NHMA and CenterWell physician leaders, and experiential learning at CenterWell senior primary care centers.

A Growing Need for Bilingual Physicians

Bilingual physicians are vital to improving access to care, cultivating trust in the medical profession, and enhancing health outcomes in historically under-resourced communities. This scholarship addresses those barriers directly and builds a more prepared, confident and culturally responsive physician workforce ready to lead in senior primary care.

“Investing in bilingual physicians is one of the most meaningful ways we can improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Yeny Andrade, MD, Associate Medical Director, CenterWell Senior Primary Care. “When patients are able to express themselves more openly and share details they might otherwise hold back, that allows us to truly understand not just their medical concerns, but their lives. That connection builds trust, leads to better decisions, and ultimately better outcomes.”

NHMA‑supported research shows patients without care providers who speak their language are more likely to:

• Experience medical errors and adverse events
• Report lower satisfaction and trust
• Miss follow‑up appointments
• Have lower medication adherence

According to the NHMA only about 9% of U.S. physicians identify as Hispanic/Latino, a figure it says has remained largely unchanged since the 1970s, despite Hispanics making up nearly 19% of the U.S. population.

"NHMA deeply appreciates Humana and CenterWell’s support in launching this pioneering scholarship program focused on developing the next generation of bilingual primary care physicians serving our communities,” said Luis Isea Mercado, MD, FACP, a member of the NHMA Board of Directors. “Supporting the Latino physician pipeline means investing not only in education but also in mentorship, leadership development and long-term community impact.”

“In Florida, nearly 30% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, yet Latino physicians remain underrepresented within the primary care workforce,” Dr. Mercado continued. “Programs like this help bridge that gap by empowering resident physicians who are committed to culturally humble, community-centered care.”

Resident Physician Scholarship Program Award Recipients

Jazmin Gomez, MD – A Mexican American physician and Family Medicine resident in Winter Park, Florida, Dr. Gomez is committed to bridging language and cultural barriers to help patients feel understood, empowered, and involved in their healthcare decisions.

Janelle Lopez, MD – Raised in South Florida in a Cuban family, Dr. Lopez plans to practice as a primary care physician while also working as a hospitalist. She was elected by her peers as Chief Resident for her third year of post-graduate work.

Mario F. Jacome, DO – A Family Medicine resident in Southwest Florida with a passion for advancing health equity and culturally competent care, Dr. Jacome is focused on developing expertise in HIV prevention and primary care, LGBTQ+ health, nutrition, and chronic disease management.

Martin Lorenzo Molina, MD – A Family Medicine resident at the Florida State University/BayCare Family Medicine Residency Program in Winter Haven, Florida, Dr. Molina plans to pursue fellowship training in Sports Medicine while continuing to practice family medicine.

Paula Rocha, MD – A Family Medicine resident in Miami, FL, Dr. Rocha is completing medical residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System. She professionally speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Her focus is on providing high-quality care to older adults in diverse populations.

Rachel Kim, MD – During residency, Dr. Kim has demonstrated her strong commitment to providing holistic patient focused and individualized care across all age groups. She is passionate about providing culturally competent care to underserved urban communities.

Yasmin Garcia, MD – A Family Medicine resident at the Florida State University/Lee Health Family Medicine Residency Program, a recent initiative of Dr. Garcia’s focused on chronic disease management and preventative care, including a remote patient monitoring project for uncontrolled hypertension.

Awardee Benefits and Candidate Eligibility

Scholarship recipients receive financial support to advance their coursework, obtain certifications, attend conferences, or prepare for exams. In addition, they participate in a monthly mentorship program focused on career planning, leadership development, and residency or fellowship guidance. The program also includes a clinical introduction to integrated primary and geriatric care models. Finally, recipients take part in a virtual leadership learning series while benefiting from increased professional visibility.

Eligible applicants include post-graduate year 2 and post-graduate year 3 residents in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine, as well as residents transitioning into a Geriatrics fellowship. Candidates must be training in Florida and be bilingual in English and Spanish, with a demonstrated commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities.

About Humana

Humana (NYSE:HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

About NHMA

The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is a non-profit organization representing the interests of over 50,000 licensed Hispanic physicians in the United States. NHMA aims to improve the health of Hispanic and other underserved populations through advocacy, research, and education. By addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by these communities, NHMA strives to achieve health equity for all.