Mercer University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta introduce inaugural class of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholarship Program

Mercer University School of Medicine  (MUSM) recently announced the first group of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholarship Program recipients for the 2023 academic year. One recipient, Leeia Fields, is from Douglasl

MUSM selected scholars based on their commitment to become pediatricians, strong ties to rural Georgia, character, leadership qualities, community involvement, and their commitment to serving in rural, underserved Georgia after their scholarship obligations are met. They will receive full tuition for up to four academic years and must maintain good academic standing.

The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholarship Program was established as part of a joint initiative between MUSM and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Children's), which was announced in February 2023. The scholarship, along with other projects, is funded by a dedicated and long-term sustainable fund allocated by the Children's Board of Trustees.

"On the heels of our announcement earlier this year, we are thrilled to recognize the inaugural recipients of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholarship Program," said Donna Hyland, CEO of Children's. "These medical students will fill a need in rural communities and will make a tremendous impact on the families who are seeking care from a pediatrician close to home."

MUSM Dean Jean Sumner, M.D., said, "Most of Georgia's rural counties are without pediatricians and almost no rural counties have enough pediatricians. This scholarship, in time, will allow all Georgia's rural children to have access to the care they need close to home. We are deeply grateful for the trust in us and the commitment Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has to help rural communities."

This year's class of Rural Pediatrics Scholarship Program recipients include:

• Mackenzie Best of Bonaire (Class of 2026)
• Lauren Brooker of Sandersville (Class of 2025)
• Jonathon Edgy of Waynesville (Class of 2023)
• Leeia Fields of Douglas (Class of 2025)
• Kimberly Gunby of Stapleton (Class of 2024)
• Megan Hobbs of Hazlehurst (Class of 2025)
• Alyssa Lorenzen of Forsyth (Class of 2025)
• Landon Simmons of Euharlee (Class of 2026)
• Harsimran Singh of Bainbridge (Class of 2026)
• Nelliena Young of Albany (Class of 2023)

Two of these scholars are graduating on May 6, 2023, and will enter residency this summer. In just three years, Nelliena Young and Jonathon Edgy will be ready to serve rural Georgia as pediatricians. Young will complete her pediatric residency at Morehouse College and Edgy will complete his at the University of Florida. They plan to return to rural southwest and rural southeast Georgia.

"It's a huge honor for me to have been selected for the Rural Pediatrics scholarship," said Young. "This program is going to make a huge difference in my hometown and for the people in my community, and I wanted to be a big part of that."

The 2023 Scholars were honored during a pinning ceremony on April 26 in the presence of Children's Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Fortenberry, Mercer University President William D. Underwood, Dean Sumner, and Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center Executive Director Glenda Grant, and scholars' families.