Page 27 - Alcorn Magazine - Spring, 2019

Williams and Winters Participate In
Mississippi Rural Physicians and Dentists Scholarship Programs
BRAVES ON THE YARD
Alcorn State University has built a reputation for producing all dental admissions requirements, the student can be admitted to some of the nation’s best students. e university’s cam- the University of MS School of Dentistry.
pus is lled with motivated students who tirelessly pursue
greatness in their elds of study.
Two of the university’s budding medical scholars were invited to take part in a program that aids students on their path to medical school.
E’Kerria Williams, a senior and Natchez, Mississippi, native, was selected to participate in the pre-matriculation portion of the Mis- sissippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. Aaron Winters, a junior and Byram, Mississippi, native, was selected to participate in the undergraduate part of the Mississippi Rural Dentists Schol- arship Program.
e Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, created in 2007, identi es college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate the necessary commitment and academic achievement to become competent, well-trained rural primary care physicians in our state. e program o ers undergraduate academic enrichment and clin- ical experience in a rural setting. Upon completion of all medical school admissions requirements, the student can be admitted to the University of Mississippi School of Medicine or William Carey Uni- versity College of Osteopathic Medicine.
e Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, created in 2013, identi es up to seven college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate the necessary commitment and academic achievement to become competent, well-trained rural pediatric or general den- tists in our state. e program o ers two years of undergraduate ac- ademic enrichment, including DAT (Dental Admission Test) prepa- ration and clinical experience in a rural setting. Upon completion of
Participating in the program gave Williams insight into what her future in medicine could look like. Because of the knowledge she attained, she feels better equipped to pursue a career in the medical eld.
“ e program was exciting because it exposed me to di erent doc- tors and their lines of work,” said Williams. “It prepared me for what to expect once I o cially enter the medical eld.”
Being in an environment with other exceptional minds brought out the best in Winters. He enjoyed being in the midst of other aspiring dentists who also pursued more skills from dental veterans.
“Being surrounded by like-minded individuals whose sole purpose is to acquire more knowledge was refreshing and exciting,” said Winters. “I enjoyed being around my colleagues.”
e Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program provides a means for rural Mississippi students to earn a seat in medical school, receive mentoring during the medical school application process, earn a $120,000 medical school scholarship in return for four years of service, and learn the art of healing from practicing rural physi- cians. e Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program provides a means for rural Mississippi students to receive DAT preparation, bene t from mentoring, learn the art of oral health care from prac- ticing rural dentists, and earn a $140,000 dental school scholarship in return for four years of service.
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