For the 24th consecutive year, the Regional Medical Center offered area students the opportunity to gain practical experience in a hospital setting through the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) sponsored by the RMC Auxiliary.

Members of the 2011 class are from left, front row: Janki Patel, Sarah Boles, Jaime Cooner, Kayse Sheetz, Treasure Brabham, Courtney McAlhaney, SEP Advisor Betty Barber and SEP Coordinator Michele Crane. Middle row: Ellen Shire, Roxanne Riser, Marissa Southerland, Aaron Bruner, Adrienne Hughes, Daja Davis, Jennifer Joyner, Jasmine Sease and Amanda Padgett. Back row: Haley Bozard, Sara Shuler, Jessica Parler, Jonathan Degen, Clayton Colvin, Duncan Rhoad, Jonathan White and Claude Backmon.

Participants of the SEP were given an opportunity to apply for two scholarships, a $1,500 scholarship from the H. Filmore Mabry Scholarship Fund and a $1,500 scholarship from the Dr. Irene Myers Scholarship Fund. The scholarships were awarded to the two students who best met established criteria that included community service and scholastic achievement, as well as having completed the 2011 Summer Enrichment Program.

Scholarships Awarded to RMC Summer Enrichment Program Participants

Two recent graduates of the Regional Medical Center's Summer Enrichment Program received a scholarship toward pursuing their chosen career field of healthcare. Caroline Ott, of Rowesville, was awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the H. Filmore Mabry Scholarship Fund, and Kalyn Weatherford, of Eutawville, was awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the Dr. Irene Myers Scholarship Fund.

Participating in the presentation of the 2012 Dr. Irene Myers Scholarship and the 2012 H. Filmore Mabry Scholarship were, from left, RMC Vice President Brenda Williams, Joan Mabry, widow of H. Filmore Mabry; Caroline Ott of Rowesville, Mabry Scholarship recipient; Kalyn Weatherford of Eutawville, Myers Scholarship recipient; Pam Canaday, a daughter of Dr. Myers; and RMC Auxiliary President Caroline Thompson. Participants of RMC’s Summer Enrichment Program, sponsored by RMC Auxiliary, were given an opportunity to apply for the scholarships.

Participants of the SEP, sponsored by the RMC Auxiliary for the 25th consecutive year, were given an opportunity to apply for the Mabry Scholarship and the Myers Scholarship. The scholarships were awarded to the two students who best met established criteria that included community service and scholastic achievement, as well as having completed the 2012 Summer Enrichment Program.

A graduate of Branchville High School, Ott is entering the University of South Carolina this fall and plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

While in high school, Ott served in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Beta Club, Drama Club and FFA, and held several offices. She served as co-editor of the yearbook and played soccer. Additionally, she has been an active participant in numerous community and charitable organizations.

"The Summer Enrichment Program was an awesome opportunity, and I recommend it to anyone wanting to enter the healthcare profession,” noted Ott. “While I enjoyed all of it, I especially loved working with Dr. Marro and orthopaedics.”

Weatherford, a 2012 graduate of Holly Hill Academy, will enter the University of South Carolina in the fall, majoring in biology. She has aspirations to some day become a nurse anesthetist.

While in high school, Weatherford was a member of the National Honor Society, co-editor of the school newspaper, yearbook staff member, varsity softball player and a varsity football trainer.

"I have enjoyed this opportunity to be a part of the Summer Enrichment Program," Weatherford said. “It has definitely been an honor, and it has made my interest in the healthcare field grow stronger. I had a great time and learned a lot in my three assigned departments: orthopaedics with Dr. Buckaloo, operating room with Dr. Delaney and in the newborn nursery. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in the healthcare field and would like to thank the Auxiliary and the scholarship committee for granting me this generous scholarship to put towards my education. I greatly appreciate it!”

In the spring of 1995, the RMC Auxiliary established the H. Filmore Mabry Scholarship Endowment to honor Mabry's service to the healthcare profession and to be used to support some deserving area students in health disciplines. Mabry served 32 years as RMC's chief executive officer prior to retiring in December 1993; he passed away March 7, 1995.

In 2008, the RMC Auxiliary established a scholarship in memory of Dr. Irene Myers to support and enhance the RMC scholarship that benefits RMC's SEP students. The scholarship recognizes Myers' 45 years of service in public education and her passion for the opportunities the SEP provides local students who are interested in healthcare professions. Myers joined the RMC Auxiliary in February 2000 and served as president from 2006 until her death in February 2008.