Mercer Medical Studentes Visit Here
A group of students from the medical school of Mercer University took a “windshield tour” of Monticello last week, learning about rural health care and rural life in general.
The students met with staff at Jasper Memorial hospital and Primary Care Center in the morning, then had a tour of Monticello. They ate lunch at the visitors’ center, hosted by the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, and attended by several community leaders and the students.
After lunch they met with some local officials, then visited with the staff at Venture Medical Associates, before heading back to Macon. It was only their second day in medical school.
At lunch the students heard from several people about the great community in which we live. They spread out to enjoy a meal with the locals, then the local officials told about their role in the community, and the benefits of living in Jasper County.
Those extolling the virtues of life in Monticello and small town life in general included State Rep. Susan Holmes, Sheriff Donnie Pope, Jasper County School Supt. Dr. Mike Newton, County Commission Chairman Gene Trammell, Monticello City Manager Peggy Billerman, Development Authority of Jasper County (DAJC) director David Dyer, Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce (COC) Chairperson Kathy Mudd, vice-chair, Skip Davis, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chair Sage Edwards; Towander Dennis, representing both DDA and the COC, local realtor Adam McGinnis, and COC President Pam Mayer. Also helping host the luncheon was COC staffer Rebecca Jacobson.
Medical students in the group included (front row, left to right) Alayna Dukes, Tracey Franco, Hannah Blakeslee, Anbinh Hoang, (middle row) Andrea Meyer, PhD, faculty member; Larry Nichols, M.D., faculty member, Cameron Lovell, Etsubdenk Fikremanian, (back row) Jacob John, Chris Milse, and Sam Lee.
The COC extends a big thank you to Ms. Edwards who served as the tour director for the visit around Monticello.
This is the third year the COC has hosted a group of medical students from Mercer in the community.
