TWO WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY BRALY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Dallas, GA –the S.U. Braly Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 2017 service scholarship recipients. The recipients are: Carmon Pinion, of Dallas, who is receiving $1500 to pursue a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Liberty University. Carmon is currently employed at WellStar Paulding Hospital Pharmacy as an Automation System Analyst. The other recipient is Rebekah Lewis, a 2017 graduate of Heirway Christian Academy. She will be attending Georgia College & State university to pursue a major in nursing.
Both plan to work at WellStar Paulding Hospital after completing their programs and will therefore be able to repay their scholarship through service following graduation receiving $100/month credit with full time employment. Carmon has been a valued asset within the WellStar Health System since 2011 and has utilized her talents and education wisely. According to her supervisor, “Carmon has demonstrated an air of competency, respect, and professionalism. She is proactive and a solid critical thinker.” Rebekah has always wanted to be a nurse. At her kindergarten graduation, she said “I want to be a nurse like my momma”. Her mother has been a nurse for 20 years and is an Operating Room nurse at WellStar Douglas. According to Rebekah’s high school advisor and teacher, Rebekah has been a leader in sports and academics, actively involved in sports, honor and service societies. Rebekah is “ very diligent and self-motivated…STAR Student and maintained one of the highest GPAs in her very competitive Senior class”. While dual enrolled in high school and college, and with a hectic schedule of sports and other activities, she managed to maintain an excellent GPA.
The Braly Scholarship Fund was launched in 1982 in memory of the late Samuel U. Braly who died July 4, 1978. At the time of his death, many Paulding County residents donated money instead of sending flowers to start this fund. Although the county felt a tremendous loss, his legacy continues through the Braly Scholarship Fund. The Braly Scholarship Program is designed to help those who want to serve Paulding County in a health career in positions needed at WellStar Paulding Hospital and/or Nursing Center. A scholarship may be repaid through service after graduation. The fund is sustained through fundraisers, contributions and donations in honor or in memory of loved ones.
Scholarship applicants are considered based on financial need, potential for completing their field of study and willingness to pursue a health career that would benefit Paulding County through service. Applications for the service scholarship are accepted between January and April each year.
The Braly Scholarship committee is comprised of members of Dr. Braly's family, community friends and employees at the hospital where Doctor Braly served for twenty years. Current members include Sam Braly, Raymond Moody, Genevieve Cole, Joyce Hulsey, Robin Ragsdale, Barbara Cooper Ragsdale, Donna Mikeal, Becky King, Rhonda Payne, Imogene Nelson, Carol O’Connell, Pat Pace, Vickie Jones, and Jane Ragsdale.
Again, the fund is sustained through donations, memorials, and fundraisers, such as the patio sale at the WellStar Paulding Nursing and Rehab Center, spearheaded by Imogene Nelson, Nursing Center employee. Donations and memorials are tax deductible and are encouraged to be made to honor or in memory of someone, especially those who appreciate healthcare workers and persons who support Paulding County—its healthcare and jobs/careers in Paulding County. Instead of flowers, a memorial given to this fund is a wonderful way to remember a loved one and the loving service of Dr. Braly, who served this county for so many years.
Donation checks should be made out to “Community Foundation of Paulding” with a note that it is for the Braly Scholarship Fund. It can be given to any of the Braly Committee Members (listed above) or mailed to Joyce Hulsey or Carol O’Connell at WellStar Paulding Nursing and Rehab Center, 600 W. Memorial Drive, Dallas, GA, 30132.

Photo:
Front row L>R: Sherry Lewis (mother of Rebekah), Rebekah Lewis (recipient), Carmon Pinion (recipient)
Back row L>R: Committee Members--Jane Ragsdale, Sam Braly, Joyce Hulsey, Carol O'Connel, Becky King