JARMC in Meridian Awards 7 Nursing Scholarships

Front row from left: MCC students Chara Willis, Marie Moser, Ashley Foley, Heather Durham, Jessica Hutchinson, Kari Mathis and Shauna Grady and Mary Anderson, wife of Dr. Shaun Anderson Back row from left: Jan Farrington, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center Board member; Martha Johnson, wife of the late Reuben S. Johnson Jr.; Dr. Joe Anderson, Chairman, JARMC Board of Directors, Dr. Shaun Anderson, JARMC Board member, Dr. Betty Davis, assistant dean of nursing at MCC; Mark McPhail, JARMC President and CEO; Elizabeth Gunn, wife of the late William J. Gunn; and Dr. Scott Elliott, MCC president.

Whether it was a personal experience or a recommendation from a relative, seven Meridian Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program students are getting a financial helping hand to become nurses who make a difference.

Thanks to Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, the rising third-semester ADN students have been awarded scholarships to do just that – make a difference in others lives.

Chara Willis, Marie Moser, Karie Mathis, Jessica Hutchinson, Heather Durham, all of Meridian; Shauna Grady of Decatur and Ashley Foley of Netwon were applauded by MCC nursing faculty and administration as well as by JARMC officials at a special presentation held in the health care facility.

The scholarship recipients are outstanding nursing students who receive the honor based on scholastic ability, nursing excellence, the recommendation of MCC faculty, an application and a written essay on why they chose nursing as a career.

This marks the 20th year the hospital has provided scholarships to area nursing students.

Ashley Foley was awarded the Dr. W.J. Anderson III Scholarship. Dr. Anderson was the son of Dr. William J. Anderson and the grandson of hospital founder Dr. Jeff Anderson. Dr. Anderson was a general surgeon from 1962 until his retirement in 1998. Dr. Anderson served as president and chairman of the board of directors at JARMC until his death in October 2002. This scholarship was created in 2003 to honor Dr. Anderson’s visionary leadership to the hospital.

Foley’s mother is a nurse, who he said is “a dedicated, hard-working nurse.” Serving his country as a helicopter crew chief, Foley requested the Army send him to practical nursing school. “… and now I am on the path to become and RN.”

MCC student Chara Willis received the Dr. Jeff Anderson Scholarship. Dr. Jeff Anderson founded Anderson Infirmary in 1928. At that time, the hospital was staffed by three physicians, a handful of nurses and room to accommodate 30 patients. Dr. Anderson’s vision for the future, and his commitment to providing quality medical care for the residents in East Central Mississippi and West Central Alabama, are the foundation of what has now grown to be JARMC, a 260-bed medical center with more than 160 physicians representing more than 38 specialties. The scholarship was created in 2004 to honor Dr. Anderson.

Willis noted in her essay it was nurses who cared for her grandfather when he was ill who prompted her to pursue the career. “The nurses could always make him smile,” she wrote.

Receiving the Dr. William J. Anderson Jr. Scholarship was Marie Moser. Dr. Anderson was the son of Dr. Jeff Anderson, the founder of the hospital. Dr. Anderson served as a general surgeon at JARMC. He died in 1987. The scholarship was created in 1988 to honor the many accomplishments of Dr. Anderson to the area’s medical field.

Moser wrote, “It is a gift, a knack, the special ability for caring and helping people to be as healthy as they can for as long as they can.”

Heather Durham is the recipient of the Dr. Jefferson F. Hollingsworth Scholarship. Dr. Hollingsworth, the grandson of Dr. Jeff Anderson, was a cardiovascular surgeon in Jackson and was instrumental in getting the Cardiac Catheterization program started in Meridian. He died in 1986. This scholarship was established in 1988 to honor Dr. Hollingsworth’s many contributions to the cardiac program of the hospital. Durham, who is eager to help others, said a relative encouraged her to go into this health care arena. “My aunt is a nurse and she has been a big inspiration in my life.”

Jessica Hutchinson received the William J. Gunn, Esquire, Scholarship. Gunn began his service to the medical center in 1965 as secretary to the board of directors and general counsel for the hospital. In 1967, he became a member of the board of directors and continued his faithful service until his death in August 2001. The scholarship was created in 2002 to honor Mr. Gunn’s service to the hospital.

Hutchinson works at JARMC and sees nursing as a calling. “I love it. I intend to stay!”

Kari Mathis and Shauna Grady received the Reuben S. Johnson Jr. Scholarship. Johnson began his 47-year service to JARMC in 1947. He was president and chairman of the board for 38 years. He was instrumental in the successful transformation of the hospital from a small infirmary to what became Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. Johnson also served as the internal management consultant from 1976 to his death in 1994. The scholarship was created this year to honor his many accomplishments.

Mathis, who spent 12 years working in the medical laboratory technology field, found that she wanted more patient care contact. “Nursing is an honor,” she said.

“There was this one nurse that expressed some understanding toward my situation,” said Grady in her essay when she explained why she wanted to be a nurse. “She treated my daughter and I like people with feelings, not just a job. I decided then that I wanted to be a person that made a difference.”

During the presentation, Mark McPhail, CEO of the health care facility, credited the college for their service to the community. “Every time we have a need, they’re willing to go to bat for us,” he said.

“We’re the ones who should be giving you a hand,” said MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott, explaining the hospital and other agencies came to the College’ rescue at the opportune time. He said to the students the scholarships came with a great responsibility for them to continue to excel.

Jan Farrington, JARMC board member, addressed the honorees noting the scholarships not only honored the past, but also is providing for the future. She said, “All of these people had the vision to provide the care that was second to none … we’re all dedicated to that.

“We challenge you,” she told the students, “to become a part of building the future.”