Carey graduates awarded Rural Physicians Scholarships
William Carey University graduates Conner Sears and Terra Parker Cody were recently awarded the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship valued at $30,000 per year for their medical training.
Cody is a Monticello native and the daughter of Mark and Michele Parker of Monticello. She is a student at the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine. Sears is a Lumberton native and is the daughter of Steed Sears and Dr. Jan Sears of Lumberton. She will attend the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson.
Created in 2007, the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program (MRPSP) is designed to provide more primary care physicians in rural areas of Mississippi. During medical school, each MRPSP scholar receives $30,000 per year based on available funding. Consistent legislative support of the MRPSP translates to 60 medical students receiving a total of $1,800,000 to support their education this fall.
“The Mississippi Legislature celebrates with these Mississippians from across the state in their commitment to improving healthcare for rural Mississippians by becoming rural primary care physicians,” said Buck Clarke, Chairman of Mississippi State Senate Appropriations. In addition to the legislative support, 4 privately funded scholarships are also awarded this year. Other benefits include personalized mentoring from practicing rural physicians and academic support.
Upon completion of medical training, MRPSP scholars must enter a residency program in one of five primary care specialties: family medicine, general internal medicine, medicine-pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology or pediatrics. 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 and to earn a $120,000 medical school scholarship in return for four years of service and learn the art of healing from practicing rural physicians.