May 18th, 2017
The Tennessee Board of Regents honored West Tennessee Healthcare on Wednesday with the highest award it gives institutions for supporting its system of community and technical colleges.
"We are blessed" to have you as a partner, said Dr. Allana Hamilton, Jackson State president. "Together, we are changing lives, one student at a time."
"West Tennessee Healthcare has given its funds, time and energy to expand the horizons of Jackson State Community College students," said Dr. Barbara Prescott, Board of Regents member from the 8th congressional district, as she presented the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to West Tennessee Healthcare.
Accepting the award were James Ross, interim president of West Tennessee Healthcare, and Vicki Burch, chairwoman of the organization's board.
"This is a great day," Ross said. "West Tennessee Healthcare would not be able to survive, to thrive without local institutions like Jackson State who educate a great many of the organization's 5,800 employees," Ross added.
Horace Chase, who was interim president of Jackson State at the time, nominated West Tennessee Healthcare for the award largely because of its funding of the college's new Jim Moss Center for Nursing and the continued support for all of the college's healthcare programs.
The hospital has given Jackson State economic and other support through the years, while Jackson State provided an education for many of the hospital's employees.
"We're extremely grateful to you for our partnership," said James King, Board of Regents executive vice chancellor and interim vice chancellor for student services.
Both Jackson City Mayor Jerry Gist and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris praised the healthcare institution for its support of local education.