The Vision

In 2007 the Mississippi Legislature created the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, creating a unique longitudinal program that identifies rural college students who aspire to return to their roots to practice medicine. Academic enrichment, faculty and physician mentoring plus solid medical school financial support through the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program will enable capable young Mississippians to address the challenge of Mississippi's healthcare crisis.

The Mission

MRPSP's three phases nurture future rural physicians from college through residency training. Maintaining a high level of awareness and involvement in Mississippi's rural health care is a constant in every phase of training. Channeling students into five primary care specialties (Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Medical Pediatrics or General Internal Medicine) will target the current physician shortage.

To jumpstart the flow of primary care physicians in the healthcare pipeline in 2008, ten current UMMC School of Medicine students were awarded state funded scholarships valued at $30,000 for 2008-2009. More scholars entered this rural physician program at a scholarship presentation ceremony at the restored Old Capitol on July 28, 2009 (pictured below). Each of these students embrace their small town values and culture, sharing a common passion for making a difference through missionary zeal or maverick determination. The challenge of fully funding renewable scholarships each year remains.

Front Row: Cherita Brown of Jackson, Charles Clark of Diamondhead, William Rosenblatt of Woodville, Nikki Lockett of Lyon Laura Jackson of Hazlehurst, Sharkeshia Braddy of Waynesboro, Anna Hailey Sharp of  Preston

Second Row: Dr. Brent Smith  of Cleveland, Jeremy Wells of Raleigh, Dustin Gentry of Kosciusko, John Russell McPherson of Inverness, Sedrick Bradley of Terry, Kelly Shoemake of Preston, Samuel Holdiness of Kosciusko, Jessica Allen of Booneville, Dr. Amanda Smith of Laurel

Not pictured: Jenna Jones Dear of Brandon, Jane Beebe Jones of Isola, Jessica Lavender of Carthage