Media Advisory — ALFA President Jerry Newby Presents Gift to UA’s Rural Medical Scholars Program

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A $1.8 million gift from the Alabama Farmers Federation will be used to create an endowed scholarship fund for rural students who are enrolled in the Rural Medical Scholars Program, a cooperative effort between The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama School of Medicine.

Jerry Newby, Alfa president, will be at University Medical Center with UASOM representatives for a Sept. 23 media availability to answer questions about this program and to meet physicians and students who have taken advantage of the RMSP. The media availability will be from 11:30 a.m. until noon.

Also present will be:

• Dr. John Wheat, physician, founder and director of the Rural Medical Scholars Program. He can specifically speak to Alabama doctor shortages.
• Dr. E. Eugene Marsh, interim dean College of Community Health Sciences
• Rural Medical Scholar Terry James, of Winston County, a third year medical student who is the recipient of the first ALFA Rural Medical Scholarship
• RMSP graduate Dr. Drake Lavender, of Greene County, who recently entered private practice in Gordo
• UA Provost Judy Bonner

University Medical Center is located at the corner of University Boulevard and 5th Ave. East. To get to the Health Sciences Library, enter the building on the lower level that faces the UA campus.