CVS Health Announces $5 Million Scholarship Program to Support Future Pharmacists in Louisiana

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) announced a $5 million scholarship program to support students pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

The program aims to reduce financial barriers, strengthen Louisiana's pharmacy workforce, and expand access to care, starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

Positive

• $5 million scholarship fund dedicated to Louisiana PharmD students
• Program supports students at Xavier University of Louisiana and University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Availability begins in the 2026-27 academic year, reducing financial barriers

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Scholarship funding: $5 million Scholarship award: $20,000 Scholarship recipients: 21 student pharmacists +1 more

4 metrics

Scholarship funding $5 million CVS Health scholarship program for Louisiana pharmacy students

Scholarship award $20,000 CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Scholarship per student pharmacist

Scholarship recipients 21 student pharmacists Number of CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Scholarship recipients nationwide

Program start 2026-27 academic year Start of CVS Health pharmacy scholarship availability

Market Reality Check

Price: $78.20 Vol: Volume 5,518,128 vs 20-da...

low vol

$78.20 Last Close

Volume Volume 5,518,128 vs 20-day average 11,069,437 ahead of this announcement. low

Technical Shares at 78.2, trading above 200-day MA of 72.63 and 8.16% below the 52-week high of 85.15.

Peers on Argus

CVS slipped 0.36% while key peers showed mixed moves and only ALHC appeared in m...

1 Down

CVS slipped 0.36% while key peers showed mixed moves and only ALHC appeared in momentum scans, down 1.46%. Data do not indicate a coordinated sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 10 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 10	Earnings results	Neutral	-0.1%	Reported record 2025 revenue with large one-time charges affecting GAAP EPS.
Feb 06	Pharmacy partnership	Positive	-3.3%	About 9,000 CVS pharmacies began accepting TrumpRx discount cards for savings.
Feb 05	Industry award	Positive	+2.6%	Aetna named Press Ganey’s inaugural Health Plan of the Year for member experience.
Feb 05	Formulary changes	Positive	+1.4%	Added osteoporosis biosimilars and generics to formularies, highlighting lower-cost options.
Feb 05	Digital onboarding	Positive	+1.4%	Launched digital-first benefits onboarding for four million members, boosting engagement.

Pattern Detected

Recent CVS headlines, including awards and formulary changes, have generally seen modestly positive price alignment, with one notable divergence on a discount-card announcement.

Recent Company History

Over recent months, CVS has reported strong operational scale and steady strategic updates. On Feb 10, 2026, it posted Q4 and full-year 2025 results with record $402.1B revenue, but only a small -0.09% move. Earlier in February, news on TrumpRx discount cards (-3.29%) contrasted with positive reactions to an Aetna award (+2.65%) and biosimilar formulary changes (+1.45%). Against this backdrop, the $5M Louisiana scholarship program fits CVS’s broader community and workforce investment narrative rather than an earnings-driven catalyst.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a $5M scholarship program to support PharmD students at Louisiana institut...

Analysis

This announcement details a $5M scholarship program to support PharmD students at Louisiana institutions, reinforcing CVS Health’s emphasis on workforce development and access to care. It complements earlier strategic steps such as formulary updates and digital member engagement. Investors may track how such initiatives support CVS’s broader health equity and talent pipeline goals, while monitoring subsequent financial disclosures and operational metrics to gauge how community investments coexist with profitability and cash flow priorities.

Key Terms

pharmd

1 terms

pharmd medical

"students pursuing their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at either Xavier University"

A PharmD is a professional doctoral degree for pharmacists that certifies clinical training in how medicines are used, dosed and managed safely in patients. For investors, seeing a PharmD listed among company scientists or advisors signals hands‑on clinical expertise and credibility in drug safety, dosing and regulatory interactions—similar to having a seasoned pilot on the team who ensures complex equipment is operated correctly.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Investment aims to strengthen the pharmacy workforce and expand access to care across the state

BATON 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 their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at either Xavier University of Louisiana or the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

This initiative is part of CVS Health's broader commitment to advancing health equity, expanding access to care, and investing in the next generation of health care professionals. The program will help reduce financial barriers for students from diverse backgrounds and communities, particularly those with a desire to serve in areas with critical health care needs.

"Pharmacists play a vital role in improving health outcomes and delivering care in the communities we serve," said Lucille Accetta, RPh, Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer. "This investment reflects our deep commitment to Louisiana and our belief in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen the healthcare workforce. By investing in future pharmacists in Louisiana, we are not only supporting individual students—we are investing in the health and resilience of entire communities. We're proud to partner with these institutions to help shape the future of pharmacy and ensure care is accessible where it's needed most."

Louisiana's long-term success depends on investing where it matters most — right here in the Bayou and in the next generation of leaders who will shape the state's future. From strengthening the workforce to expanding access to care, ensuring young Louisianans have the opportunity to learn, train, and build their careers at home is a top priority for state leadership. Strategic investments in education and workforce development are critical to keeping Louisiana competitive and positioning the state as a destination for talent, innovation, and opportunity.

This announcement from CVS Health reinforces that commitment and aligns with Louisiana's broader efforts to grow a strong, homegrown healthcare workforce. By supporting students pursuing careers in pharmacy, this initiative helps create clear pathways for Louisiana's best and brightest to stay, serve, and succeed in their communities. Public-private partnerships like this one are essential to ensuring that Louisiana continues to produce skilled professionals who will call the state home for generations to come.

"Louisiana's future depends on the young people we invest in today," said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. "When we create opportunities for our students to learn, train, and build their careers right here at home, we're strengthening our workforce and our communities at the same time. I'm excited to work with CVS Health on this initiative and grateful for their commitment to helping Louisiana's next generation succeed and choose to build their future in our great state."

Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically Black university with a strong legacy of producing healthcare leaders, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, a key contributor to the state's pharmacy workforce, were selected for their shared commitment to academic excellence and community impact in the state of Louisiana.

This new scholarship program builds on CVS Health's existing educational support initiatives, including the CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Scholarship, which awards $20,000 to 21 student pharmacists nationwide, and the company's Enterprise Tuition Assistance and PharmD Tuition Assistance programs for CVS Health colleagues.

This CVS Health pharmacy scholarship will be available starting the 2026-27 academic year. More information will be available through the financial aid offices at Xavier University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company's integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media contact
David Whitrap
David.Whitrap@CVSHealth.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-announces-5-million-scholarship-program-to-support-future-pharmacists-in-louisiana-302691089.html

SOURCE CVS Health

FAQ

What is the size and purpose of CVS Health's scholarship for Louisiana (CVS) announced Feb 18, 2026?

CVS Health launched a $5 million scholarship to support PharmD students in Louisiana. According to the company, the program reduces financial barriers and aims to strengthen the local pharmacy workforce and expand access to care in underserved communities.

Which schools are eligible for the CVS (CVS) pharmacy scholarship in Louisiana and when does it begin?

The scholarship funds students at Xavier University of Louisiana and University of Louisiana at Monroe. According to the company, awards will be available starting in the 2026-27 academic year through each school's financial aid office.

How does CVS Health say the $5M Louisiana scholarship will impact the state's healthcare workforce (CVS)?

CVS Health says the scholarship aims to strengthen the pharmacy workforce and expand access to care across Louisiana. According to the company, funding will help students from diverse backgrounds train and serve in communities with critical healthcare needs.

Will CVS Health's Louisiana scholarship be linked to other company education programs (CVS)?

Yes, the new scholarship builds on existing CVS Health education programs like the CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Scholarship and enterprise tuition assistance. According to the company, this expands its broader commitment to workforce development and health equity.

How can students apply or learn more about the CVS Health Louisiana pharmacy scholarships (CVS)?

Students should contact the financial aid offices at Xavier University of Louisiana and University of Louisiana at Monroe for details. According to the company, additional information and application guidance will be available through those campus offices for 2026-27 awards.