Meridian Community College nursing students garner 11 Anderson scholarships
For Oregon native Angela Bautista, her decision to become a nurse wasn’t as innate
for her as it is for others.
“No one in my family is a nurse, and most of the time, when I met a nurse at a doctor’s
office, I didn’t even know they were one,” she noted. But it was a bank co-worker
who recognized Bautista’s potential nursing skills and encouraged her to pursue a
career in this healthcare field.
Today, the 26-year-old Meridian resident is a third semester Associate Degree Nursing
(ADN) Program student at Meridian Community College, one of 11 students selected for
seven Anderson Regional Health System scholarships. Each comes with a $2,500 honorarium.
For the past 32 years, Anderson has provided scholarships to MCC nursing students.
John Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System, said, “The scholarships
are mutually beneficial for Anderson and MCC. Our relationship with MCC remains a
valued recruitment pipeline for our nursing work force, which is the core service
of our health care system. We are honored to present these scholarships that help
future nurses advance their education,” he said.
"We're so grateful to Anderson for providing scholarships to our nursing students.
These dollars help open doors to outstanding students who will, in turn, give back
to the healthcare needs of our community,” said MCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner.
Nurses follow a calling and often show characteristics of being tenacious, compassionate
and driven; the Anderson scholarship recipients are nursing students who demonstrate
those qualities. They are selected based on academic ability, nursing excellence,
MCC faculty's recommendation, an application and a written essay on why they chose
nursing as a career.
Dr. Lara Collum, MCC associate vice president of nursing and healthcare education
said nursing education is critical for helping future nurses develop the reasoning
and judgement skills to safely practice as a nurse. “Part of our program mission at
MCC is to prepare students for safe, effective professional practice that enhances
our local and global communities.”
Dr. Huebner added, “We appreciate the life-changing opportunities afforded by this
investment."
The partnership between Anderson and MCC is longstanding, said Leia Hill, vice president
of institutional advancement and executive director of the MCC Foundation. “The support
we receive from Anderson has been significant for our students, MCC, and our community,”
she said.
Hill added, “We appreciate working with colleagues who have a vision for investing
in the health-related educational needs of Meridian and Lauderdale County and are
proud of the students who have earned these scholarships."
Bautista, who holds a bachelor of science degree in speech communications from Oregon
State University, said she’s now discovered a passion for nursing. “When I envision
myself in the future as a nurse, it makes me so happy and excited for what lies ahead,”
she noted.
Another MCC third-semester student and scholarship recipient, Michelle Smith, 49,
from Buckatunna, said her dream of nursing started in high school. Still, she changed
career paths and didn’t pursue nursing until after her children were grown. Starting
as a certified nurse assistant, “I worked as an aide at a long-term health facility
for six months to see if this was really what I wanted to do. I fell in love with
every aspect of my job and I knew I had to see this dream to the end,” she said.
Bautista along with classmate Blair E. Black, 20, of Toomsuba 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.
Jasmine C. Bates, 26, of Collinsville and Smith were 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.
Receiving the Dr. William J. Anderson Jr. Scholarships were Haley Bonner, 19, of Meridian,
and Gina DuValle, 20, 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.
Sage McKee, 24, of Meridian and Cameron Thornton, 23, of Collinsville are the recipients
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.
Jerome D. Adkins, 22, of Meridian, received the Reuben S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship.
Johnson began his 47-year service to 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 his death in 1994. The scholarship was created in 2007 to honor Johnson’s many
accomplishments.
Kristina R. Monsour, 23, of Meridian, 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.
Jasmine P. Bush, 25, of Meridian, was the recipient of the Anderson Board of Directors
Scholarship. 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.
Jan Farrington, Anderson board of directors member, said, "Anderson is deeply committed
to the nursing scholarship program we initiated in 1988. We understand the importance
of providing funds to help these students complete their education and attain their
life goals and aspirations. These scholarships not only help the students, but also
help our community. MCC continually produces nursing school graduates who remain
in Meridian and provide the quality nursing care that is in such demand."