MACON/SAVANNAH/COLUMBUS — Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) recently announced the third cohort of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Family Therapy Scholars and the fourth cohort of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholars for the 2026 academic year.
These scholars will receive full tuition for up to four academic years in return for their commitment to serve children in rural Georgia upon completing their education. The scholars will also receive specialized training at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s (Children’s) facilities, including autism training for the Master of Family Therapy students.
MUSM selected scholars based on their commitment to becoming pediatricians or family therapists, strong ties to rural Georgia, demonstrated character, leadership qualities, community involvement and a commitment to serving in rural underserved Georgia after their scholarship obligations are met. They are also required to maintain good academic standing throughout their studies. The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Health Scholarship Programs were established as part of a joint initiative between MUSM and Children’s, which was announced in February 2023.
“These scholarships offer a transformational and sustainable solution to improve access to pediatric health care in rural Georgia. The Children’s Rural Pediatric Scholars will fill a critical need in our rural communities for years to come,” said Donna Hyland, CEO, Children’s. “The pediatric expertise they develop through their training will have a tremendous impact on the areas where they serve, and we are grateful for their commitment to the kids and families of Georgia.”
“The first cohort included two seniors who are now just months away from completing their pediatric residency and realizing their dream of serving in rural Georgia,” said MUSM Dean Jean Sumner, M.D., M.A.C.P. “This is our third group of therapy students, and interest is strong. The 100 rural pediatricians and family therapists who finish debt-free as a result of this initiative will ensure access to high-quality care for children across rural Georgia. This amazing opportunity is made possible by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.”
The 2026 cohort of Rural Pediatric Scholars is:
- Autumn Claxton (Class of 2030)
- Kim Dela Cruz (Class of 2029)
- Emma Davis (Class of 2030)
- Cassidy Head (Class of 2030)
- Luke Johnson (Class of 2030)
- Sanjeevini Nalla (Class of 2030)
- Lindsay Norris (Class of 2030)
- Lawrence “Tripp” Slaton (Class of 2030)
- Zachary Thomas (Class of 2030)
The 2026 cohort of Rural Family Therapy Scholars is:
- Ty Battle (Class of 2027)
- Megan Frank (Class of 2027)
- Sharon Murdock (Class of 2027)
- Aleasa Parker (Class of 2027)
- Arrie Williams (Class of 2026)
The 2026 scholars were honored during a special ceremony on April 21 in the presence of Hyland, Mercer University President Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D., Dr. Sumner and scholars’ families.
“It is always a special day when you can offer highly qualified medical and family therapy students — truly committed to becoming rural pediatricians and therapists — a full scholarship,” added Dr. Sumner. “MUSM is honored to work with and is deeply grateful to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This joint initiative will dramatically increase access to outstanding medical and mental health care across rural underserved Georgia.”
About Mercer University School of Medicine (Macon, Savannah, Columbus and Valdosta)
Mercer University’s School of Medicine was established in 1982 to educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health care needs of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia. Today, more than 60% of graduates currently practice in the state of Georgia, and of those, more than 80% are practicing in rural or medically underserved areas of Georgia. Mercer medical students benefit from a problem-based medical education program that provides early patient care experiences. Such an academic environment fosters the early development of clinical problem-solving and instills in each student an awareness of the place of the basic medical sciences in medical practice. The School opened additional four-year M.D. campuses in Savannah in 2008 and in Columbus in 2021, and a clinical campus in Valdosta in 2024. Following their second year, students participate in core clinical clerkships at the School’s primary teaching hospitals: Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center and Piedmont Macon Medical Center in Macon; Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah; Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus; and SGMC Health in Valdosta. The School also offers master’s degrees in preclinical sciences and family therapy and Ph.D.s in biomedical sciences and rural health sciences.
About Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
As the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization’s mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children’s is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals (Arthur M. Blank, Hughes Spalding and Scottish Rite), Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center, urgent care centers and neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has impacted the lives of kids in Georgia, across the United States and around the world for more than 100 years thanks to generous support from the community.
