METROPLEX NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Alycia Hooper
254-519-8119
May 29, 2009
For Immediate Release
Metroplex Health System Volunteers Award Scholarships at Annual Meeting
KILLEEN — While most employees work hard to earn that extra dollar, Metroplex Health System Volunteers work hard to earn that extra smile or Thank You!
Metroplex Volunteer Coordinator, Nance Travis – with her dedicated team by her side – recently hosted the annual Volunteer Banquet in Lampasas on Monday, May 18, 2009. With the theme, “Sharing His Spirit”, nearly 100 volunteers gathered to receive awards for their dedicated time, hard work and caring nature.
“We are so blessed to have the volunteers we have,” said Travis. “It is amazing to come to work each day knowing everything will be taken care of. From big projects to small assistance like answering phones, our volunteers are dependable and always have a smile on their faces.”
Aside from devoting their time to helping others within the hospital facilities, the volunteers also host fundraising events throughout the year for two annual scholarships – the Dot Hausmann Honorary Scholarship and the Jimmie Smith Memorial Scholarship. These two scholarships are awarded to individuals who have either been a Metroplex Health System volunteer, employee, employee or volunteer in vocation education or a graduating senior at a high school in Bell, Coryell or Lampasas County. They must also be pursing a degree in a human health related field.
This year’s recipient of the Dot Hausmann Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Megan A. Jones. Jones is graduating from Lampasas High School and plans to attend Angelo State University in their honors program, major in biochemistry, and then attend medical school. Megan initiated and led the Lampasas High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) program, as well as being extremely active in other school and community activities.
The Jimmie Smith Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Stephanie Watkins and Will Frazier. Watkins is graduating from Killeen High School and plans to attend the University of North Texas and major in clinical psychology. Frazier is graduating from Belton High School and plans to attend Texas A&M University and prepare for a human health science career. He has been a Metroplex Volunteer for four summers and served in ICU, Imaging and the ER.
Three other scholarships are also awarded at the annual volunteer banquet. The Begelman-Jacknowich Foundation Scholarship, donated by Dr. Terry Beal in honor of his parents, was awarded to Raven Smith and Daniel Anderson. Smith is graduating from Ellison High School and the Texas Bio Science Institute sponsored by Temple Junior College and Texas A&M University. As a result of her studious approach to preparing for a medical career, she will enter Baylor University with 28 college credit hours. Anderson is graduating from Ellison High School and the Texas Bio Science Institute. He is seeking a medical career as an emergency room doctor. He will enter Texas A&M University and hopes to earn a place in their advanced medical studies program.
Dr. Alka Rishi donates the Asha and Balkrishna Bodas Scholarship in memory of her parents who encouraged education to their children and all youth. Samantha Rubio, a CNA at Rollins Brook Community Hospital, hails from Lometa, TX, and will begin her RN studies at Central Texas College.
The Dr. Joseph Thoppil Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student who is pursuing a career in pediatrics, either as a doctor or nurse. James Sutton is graduating from Harker Heights High School and plans to attend the University of Texas. James has already earned 30 hours of college credit and holds a GPA of 4.0.
“We are so proud of these students and wish them well,” Travis added. “Rarely do we understand the impact each of us can make in our community. By volunteering, a person gives a selfless gift of time and caring. Volunteering creates a concept of character in which the community is blessed with compassion, comradeship and Christian commitment.”
For more information, please visit mplex.org or call 254.526.7523.
About Metroplex Health System
Metroplex Health System is the primary healthcare provider for West Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties, offering a wide array of medical specialties and wellness services. The 233-bed, multi-campus facility is a not-for-profit Christian organization operated as a community service by the Adventist Health System and Scott & White Healthcare. Adventist Health System manages 37 hospitals and employs over 43,000 people in the U.S. and is the 10th largest hospital system in the country. Scott & White Healthcare is one of the nation’s largest multi-specialty group practice systems with more than 700 physicians and scientists. Metroplex Health System and Scott & White Healthcare partnered in July 2008.
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