Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) recently recognized 12 new Nathan Deal Scholars for the 2026-27 academic year. The prestigious scholarship honors medical students committed to improving access to healthcare in Georgia’s rural underserved communities.
This year’s class of Nathan Deal Scholars is: Paige Bland of Valdosta, Shelby Christian of Brunswick, Hannah Clement of Hamilton, Zachary Culpepper of Midland, Andrea Fernando of Baxley, Luke Hendrix of Jesup, Madison Mills of Climax, Morgan Minick of Americus, Carli Patterson of Metter, Aizhia Poblete of Baxley, Hannah Walker of Ocilla, and Jenna Williams of Douglas.
The 12 students join 123 other Nathan Deal Scholars in advancing MUSM’s mission to prepare physicians for service in rural underserved areas of Georgia. Three members of the program’s inaugural class have already completed their service commitments and continue practicing in rural communities.
The 2026 scholars were honored at a luncheon on Sept. 30, attended by former Gov. Nathan Deal, Mercer University President Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D., and state legislators. During the event, Edwin Grimsley, M.D., MACP, received the 2026 Sandra Dunagan Deal Rural Service Award, established in 2022 to honor Georgia’s former first lady. Each year, Nathan Deal Scholars select the recipient who best exemplifies Sandra Deal’s selfless devotion, love for education and promotion of excellence.
Nathan Deal Scholars are selected based on their strong ties to rural Georgia, as well as their character, leadership, community involvement and their likelihood of serving in a rural underserved community after their scholarship obligations are met. Each recipient receives 85%–100% of tuition for up to four academic years.
“The Nathan Deal Scholarship enables and supports students who want to return to rural Georgia communities to become outstanding physicians, reflecting the highest commitment to excellence in rural health,” said Jean R. Sumner, M.D., MACP, dean of MUSM. “These scholarships remove the significant financial burden of medical school debt, which has been perceived as an obstacle for physicians going to rural areas. With this opportunity, students are empowered to return to the communities who need them most — the small towns they know and love.”
The Nathan Deal Scholarship is funded through a $35 million endowment established in 2016 after Georgia received settlement proceeds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Gov. Deal, who was Georgia’s governor at the time of the settlement, and state legislative leaders directed a one-time appropriation of funds to MUSM, which used the allocation to create the endowment. MUSM committed to providing perpetual support for the scholarship program and to preparing more than 100 physicians within 10 years to serve Georgia’s 120 rural-designated counties. Since the program’s launch in 2017, more than $15 million in awards have been granted.
