On July 30, Family Health Center of Southern Oklahoma (FHCSO) hosted a luncheon at the Chickasaw Nation Community Center in Tishomingo to honor the recipients of their first annual Vickie Day Memorial Scholarship in partnership with the Murray State College Foundation.
TheFamilyHealthCenter announced their new scholarship under its original name last November. The FHCSOFuturesScholarship was geared toward students who share a passion for community involvement and a means to educate students on the variety of professions and trades required to operate a healthcare facility.
Midway through their first year into this program, FHCSO lost a dear member of their team, Vickie Day. Vickie was a huge part of the organization and tremendously dedicated to helping hercommunity. Withsuggestion and unanimous support, the name was changed to the Vickie Day Memorial Scholarship. In a tribute to Vickie, employees recall “[she] took immeasurable pride in [her work with FHCSO], not because it reflected well on her, but because it demonstrated the positive impact we make on people’s lives in our community, a cause Vickie so valiantly dedicated her life to.”
The Vickie Day Memorial Scholarship provides an annual award in the amount of $1,000 to one student from each of four FHCSO service areas: Atoka, Coal, Johnston, andMarshallCounties. Tobe eligible, applicants must reside in one of the four service area counties, maintain a 2.5 GPA,submitapersonalessay on how they plan to impact their community through their chosen career, and enroll at Murray State College for the fall semester following high school graduation.
The Outreach team distributed information to all public schools in their service areas and a(n) FHCSO representative visited with students at some area schools to share more about the opportunity. The organization plans to engage more actively with school administrators and students throughout the 2024-25 academic year.
This endeavor began with CEO, Tina Davis’s vision to invest in the future of our communities by investing in future community members themselves. Their program is designed to support individuals who share their passion for serving others, educating students on the many career and vocational options available in the area, and offering opportunities for unique learning experiences in those fields.
With guidance and assistance from knowledgeable partners, Jordyn Frazier, Executive Director of the Murray State College Foundation, and Raegin Holman, Director of Financial Aid, FHCSOestablishedtheVickie DayMemorialScholarship.
In addition to supporting those who are driven to give back to their communities, FHCSO aims to address the common misconception that one must be a medical, dental, or pharmaceutical professional to make a difference in a healthcare organization. FHCSO emphasizes “every person in every position plays a critical role in caring for our community.” Essential, but non-medical roles include customer service in admissions offices and call center, IT, accounting, safety, communications, outreach, marketing,humanresources, patient advocates, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and more.
Unlikemanyscholarships, this one is not based solely on academic performance or extracurricular activities. It was designed specifically to reach those who share a passion for community involvement; for those who want to make a positive impact in lives around them through their career of choice. All eligibleapplicantessayswere presented anonymously to FHCSO’s governing board, whovotedonrecipientsbased on these qualities.
FHCSOisproudtopresent the first annual Vickie Day Memorial Scholarship to the following scholars who stood out in their commitment to excellence inside and outside the classroom, but even more in their compassion for others, spirit of service, and genuine drive to pursue a career that will empower them to become a force for good in their community.
Tesla Stewart is a 2024 graduate of Kingston High School in Marshall County. During her time at Kingston High School. Stewart was involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, was an active member of her community, and maintained strong academic standing.
During her studies, Stewart demonstrated an affinity for supporting her community. She often volunteered to serve food at community events and would regularly assist her school’s nutrition team in preparing and serving meals to elementary and high school students.