As hundreds of Franklin Academy students, some wearing white coats, welcomed the dean of the School of Medicine for the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Columbus, he saw them as more than just elementary schoolers.
Dr. James Keeton, who also serves as vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, saw them as the future of health care in Mississippi.
“Sadly, in Mississippi, we have the worst health care disparity in our nation,” the Columbus native said, citing obesity, diabetes and heart disease. “You name it, we”re the worst.”
Through partnering with Franklin Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School, the state”s first health and wellness magnet school, Keeton hopes to create lasting solutions for the state”s health care system. The school also plans to forge other partnerships to encourage students to consider careers in the medical field.
Before children can dream of those careers, it takes schools introducing them to those dreams, said Del Phillips, superintendent of education for Columbus schools.
Today”s announcement, held at the Magnolia Bowl on Fifth Street, was the beginning of a “great partnership,” “with the end in mind,” said Dr. Jasmine Taylor, associate vice chancellor for multicultural affairs and associate dean for multicultural affairs for UMMC.
“In the end, we hope it will shape a healthier future for the state of Mississippi,” she said.
“We”re depending on you to work hard, make good grades and become our future health care professionals,” Taylor said to the about 400 Franklin students attending the event.
The partnership, a year in the works, began when Franklin school nurse Sharon Reifers called Keeton”s wife, Jona, also a nurse, to get Keeton involved with his former elementary school.
After hearing about the medical focus of the school, Keeton embraced the opportunity.
Franklin “infuses” medical sciences into all its subject areas, said school principal Patricia Overstreet.
“Our teachers have worked for countless hours writing a curriculum that was non-existent,” Overstreet said.
UMMC sees its partnership with Franklin as a long-term investment in the future of the state of Mississippi.
In a state struggling with adult and childhood, “Mississippi has a critical need for today”s youth to become the health-care providers of the future,” a UMMC release reads.
Much to the excitement of the Franklin students, UMMC”s Medivac helicopter landed at the Magnolia Bowl at 8:46 this morning, after circling the stadium, to kick off the partnership. Aboard were Keeton and the Falcon, Columbus schools” mascot. Local government officials, school board members and state legislators attended the event, as did UMMC students of pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and other health-related fields.
Founded in 1821, Franklin Academy currently has 414 students in grades K-5 and is the state”s oldest public school. Its partnership with UMMC in Jackson will explore opportunities for community outreach from UMMC and for the college to supplement Franklin”s curriculum. A sign in front of the school, unveiled this morning, makes note of the partnership.
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