Anderson scholarships awarded to seven MCC nursing students
During a luncheon celebrating the MCC Associate Degree Nursing scholarship recipients are seated from left Dr. Joe Anderson, Joanna Barney, Dr. Wes Garrison, Jan Hollingworth
Farrington, John Anderson, Dr. Tom Huebner, Dr. Lara Collum, and Dr. Leia Hill. Standing back from left are Trinity Farr, Robin Garner, Letasha Naylor, Marquita Brewster, Tiara Pace, Rachel McCollough, Amber Fant, and Ashley Hollman.
Rachel McCollough is driven to help others, and that passion for caring has led her to where she is today as a student in Meridian Community College's Associate Degree Nursing Program.
McCollough, 41, of Waynesboro, is a third-semester ADN student and was one of seven MCC nursing students who received Anderson Regional Health System scholarships. The scholarships are $2,500 each.
For 35 years, ADN students at the College have benefited from scholarships from the Meridian-based health care system. Recipients are full-time students who post grade B or better in nursing courses and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Faculty evaluations and personal essays are also used in the selection process.
At a luncheon honoring the students and guests, John Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System, said the College is a long-standing valued partner with the health system. MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner acknowledged the College's appreciation and thanked the health system and the individuals for whom the scholarships are named. “These people invested their lives and livelihoods in something they strongly believed, and we get to be the recipients of that. What an honor that is," he said.
MCC Associate Vice President of Nursing and Health Care Education Dr. Lara Collum said the scholarships are impactful. "Your investment in these students makes a difference," she told the health system officials.
Though she began her college studies in the MCC Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic programs, McCollough aspires to work in critical care nursing. “It's the thing I love the most," she said.
McCollough is the recipient of the Dr. Jeff 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. Dr. Hollingsworth passed away in 1986. This scholarship was established in 1988 to honor Dr. Hollingsworth.
Robin Garner, 37, of Jackson, received the Dr. Jeff Anderson Scholarship. Dr. Jeff Anderson founded Anderson Infirmary in 1928. At that time, the hospital had room to accommodate 30 patients and was staffed by three physicians and a handful of nurses. 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 Anderson Regional Health System, a 400-bed medical center with over 160 physicians representing more than 38 specialties. The scholarship was created in 2004 to honor Dr. Anderson.
Marquita Brewster, 39, of Meridian, 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 Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center until his death in October 2002. This scholarship was created in 2003 to honor Dr. Anderson's visionary leadership in the hospital.
Tiara Powe, 25, of Meridian, received the Reuben S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship. Johnson began his 47-year service at Anderson Regional Medical Center 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 Anderson Regional Medical Center. Johnson also served as the internal management consultant from 1976 until he died in 1994. The scholarship was created in 2007 to honor Johnson's many accomplishments.
Receiving the Dr. William J. Anderson Jr. Scholarships was Letasha Naylor, 32, of Meridian. Dr. Anderson was the son of Dr. Jeff Anderson, the founder of the hospital. Dr. Anderson served as a general surgeon at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. The scholarship was created in 1988, a year after his passing, to honor the many accomplishments of Dr. Anderson.
Amber Fant, 20, of Meridian, received the William J. Gunn, Esquire, Scholarship. Gunn began his service at the medical center in 1965 as secretary to the board of directors and general counsel for the hospital. In 1967, he became a board of directors member and continued his faithful service until his death in August 2001. The scholarship was created in 2002 to honor Gunn's service to the hospital.
Ashley Hollman, 39, of Laurel, was the Anderson Board of Directors Scholarship recipient. The board works behind the scenes to ensure that Dr. Jeff Anderson's vision to give quality health care to the people of our region is carried out. Each member brings expertise in a different area that enhances the quality of care given to patients. These individuals work tirelessly and with very little recognition for their labor. The scholarship was created in 2012 to recognize the valuable contributions of each board member.
Learn more about MCC's Associate Degree Nursing Program by visiting meridiancc.edu/adn. For more information about Anderson Regional Health Systems, go to andersonregional.org.