June 21, 2017
May 2017 East Central Community College graduates Emily Dykeman (right) of Forest and Makenzie Byrd of Sebastopol were recently selected to participate in the undergraduate portion of the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program (MRPSP).
May 2017 East Central Community College graduates Emily Dykeman of Forest and Makenzie Byrd of Sebastopol were recently selected to participate in the undergraduate portion of the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program (MRPSP). Dykeman is the daughter of Angie and Bill Dykeman of Forest. Byrd is the daughter of Michea McLemore of Brandon and Kevin Byrd of Ellisville.
“We are so proud of our graduates on their selection for these prestigious scholarship programs,” said ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart. “It is a direct reflection on their hard work and dedication to scholarship and academic achievement. It is also a reflection on the quality instruction provided by faculty at East Central.”
Created in 2007, MRPSP identifies college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate the necessary commitment and academic achievement to become competent, well-trained rural primary care physicians in our state. The program offers undergraduate academic enrichment and a clinical 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 University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
During medical school, each MRPSP scholar may receive $30,000 per year based on available funding. Consistent legislative support of MRPSP translates to 60 medical students receiving a total of $1,800,000 to support their education this fall. Additional 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 15,000 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 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 physicians.
For more information, contact MRPSP Associate Director Dan Coleman at 601-815-9022, jdcoleman@umc.edu or http://mrpsp.umc.edu.
