2013

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Fonner ECCC students receive rural physicians scholarships

special to The Star DECATUR- Two recent graduates of East Central Community College were accepted into the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. WilliamMeruvia and Meghan Johnson were selected to partic– ipate in the undergraduate portion ofthe prestigious program. Both are members of the ECCC Class of2013. ..East Central is so proud ofWilliam and Meghan on their selection for participation in this prestigious scholarship pro– gram," said ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart. "It is a direct reflec– tion on their hard work and dedi- cation to scholarship and

state," according to Dr.Wahnee Sherman, MRPSP executive director. The program offers two years of undergraduate academic enrichment includingMCAT (Medical College Admission Test) preparation and a clinical experience in a rural setting. Upon com– pletion of all medical school admissions requirements, students will be admitted to the University ofMississippi 5chool ofMedi–

cine through Direct Entry. During medical school, each MRPSP scholar may receive $30,000 per year based on avail– able funding. Consistent legisla– tive support ofMRPSP translates to 50 medical students receiving a total of $1.500,000 to support their education this fall. Additional ben– efits include personalized men– toringfrom practicing rural physi– cians and academic support. Upon completion of the training, MRPSP Scholars must enter a residency program in one offive primary care specialties: family medicine, general internal medicine, medicine-pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology or pediatrics.

academic achievement. It is also a reflection of the quality instruction provided by faculty at East Cen– tral. We are proud that two of the 17 college sophomores chosen from across the state to participate in this program are recent EC graduates. Also, knowing both \\rilliam and Meghan, theywill make their families and their East Central family proud. We look for– ward to celebrating with them in the future when they become Dr. Meruvia and Dr. Johnson."

Meruvia

Meruvia, a Neshoba Central High School product, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Osvaldo Meruvia of Philadelphia. Johnson is a Leake Academygraduate and the daughter ofMr. and Mrs. Mike Johnson oflena. Created in 2007, the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Pro– gram identifies up to 20 college sophomores "who demonstrate the necessary commitment and academic achievement to become competent, well-trained rural primary care physicians in our

The MRPSP Scholar must provide four years of service in a clinic-based practice in an approved Mississippi community of 20,000 or fewer population located more than 20 miles from a medically served area. MRPSP provides a means for rural Mississippi students to earn a seat in medical school, receive MCATpreparation valued at $2,000, earn a $120,000 medical school scholarship in return for four years of service and learn the art ofhealing from practicing rural phy~icians

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NESHOBADEMOCRAT ________ SCOTT COUNTY TIMES ___ _ _ WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ___ CLARION-LEDGER---- - -

CARTHAGINIAN ------- - - NEWTON COUNTY APPEAL _ _ _ SPIRIT OF MORTON------- – MERIDIAN STAR-- ---------