For Immediate Release:

December 11, 2002

Nursing Scholarship Awarded by Mercy Memorial And the Oklahoma Manpower Training Commission

Ardmore-Mercy Memorial Health Center, co-sponsor with the Physician Manpower Training Commission, has awarded five scholarships to area nurses.

Paul Carter, Lori Williams, both of Healdton; Asusena Morales, Madill; Tasha Preston and Jodi Tidwell, both of Ardmore; were five of 208 nursing students recently awarded scholarships as they pursue associate degrees in nursing.

"With so many shortages in nursing, this kind of program is vital," said Melinda Laird, vice president of patient care at Mercy Memorial. "Mercy Memorial is proud to be a participant in a program that is making a difference in healthcare."

The Nursing Student Assistance Program, administered by the Oklahoma Physician Manpower Training Commission, provides educational assistance to nursing students on an equal basis by the State of Oklahoma and a sponsoring health institution-in this case, Mercy Memorial.

The Nursing Student Assistance Program was established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1982 in order to provide assistance to Oklahoma nursing students pursuing LPN, ADN, BSN and MSN degrees and who are interested in practicing nursing in Oklahoma communities. The five scholarship recipients will work as nurses for Mercy Memorial upon graduation from their respective nursing programs.

Mercy Memorial is a member of Mercy Health System Oklahoma and the Sisters of Mercy Health System-St. Louis.

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