Held at the Ameris Bank Medical Education Center, this year’s luncheon celebrated 25 scholarship recipients and 10 teacher grant recipients, with a total of $76,000 awarded through scholarships and grants.
“We look forward to this event each year because it reflects an investment in the future of healthcare and education in our community,” said Colquitt Regional Health System President and CEO Jim Matney. “Whether supporting students pursuing careers in healthcare, employees continuing their education, or teachers inspiring the next generation, these scholarships and grants help strengthen the future workforce of our region.”
Each year, the Hospital Authority of Colquitt County awards a $5,000 Trustee Scholarship for Healthcare Studies in honor of an individual whose service has made a lasting impact on healthcare in the community. This year’s scholarship was presented in honor of former Hospital Authority Trustee Mark Mobley, recognizing his 18 years of dedicated service to Colquitt Regional.
During his tenure, Mobley served on the Finance Committee and helped guide the health system through significant growth, including the launch of the Georgia South Residency Program, the recruitment of more than 50 physicians, securing over $3 million in grant funding, the expansion of oncology services, the acquisition of Colquitt Regional Senior Care, and the opening of the Ameris Bank Medical Education Center.
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The 2026 Hospital Authority Trustee Scholarship for Healthcare Studies was awarded to Ashley Strange, a Colquitt County native who completed her core studies at Georgia Southern University and where she will begin the nursing program this fall.
The Hospital Authority – PCOM South Georgia Scholarship, established in 2021 to support a South Georgia native enrolled at PCOM South Georgia, was awarded to Mauricio Soto Abrego, who is from Douglas, Georgia and a fourth-year medical student. Abrego plans to specialize in either OB/GYN or Family Medicine and hopes to practice in a rural community.
The Colquitt Regional Medical Foundation awarded several donor-funded scholarships to employees and students pursuing advanced education in healthcare fields.
The Diane and Jim Lowry Scholarship, valued at $5,000, was awarded to Erin Coots, a registered nurse in the Edwards Cancer Center who is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at Valdosta State University with plans to become a nurse practitioner.
In addition, the Lowry family continued their support of local students through the Diane and Jim Lowry Colquitt County High School Scholarship and the Lowry ROTC Scholarship, each valued at $1,000. Recipients recognized this year included Anna Kate Hightower, Jayden Taylor, Ret Turner, and Britton David Marshall, a graduating ROTC student.
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The Jane and Sam Perry Scholarship, established by the Brooks Sheldon family, was presented to Leslie Walden, a Colquitt Regional employee working in the laboratory who is pursuing a Master’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science at PCOM South Georgia.
The Anne and Monty Carlton Family Scholarship, established in memory of Anne Carlton to support employee education, was awarded to Laigan Powell, an Emergency Department employee pursuing a Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Valdosta State University.
The Doris Spry and Laverne Nash Scholarship, established by Debbie and Dr. Robert Brown, was awarded to two recipients this year. Magdaleno Hernandez Coronado, who is attending Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, and Baylee Curles, who is studying Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Albany State University, each received $5,000 scholarships.
The Kate Jeter Scholarship, funded by Jimmy and the late Rosalind Jeter in memory of their daughter, Kate Majors Jeter, awarded $2,000 scholarships to six graduating seniors from Colquitt County High School: Anabelle Brooks, Kynlee Haskin, Willis McCranie, Norah McGill, Kamry Paulk, and David Melendez. Since its inception in 2000, the scholarship has supported more than 120 local students.
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Six students were selected to receive the Colquitt Regional Employee Committee Scholarship, which supports employees or dependents of employees continuing their education. This year’s recipients included Emily Bailey, Jeremy Blalock, Laila Bryant, Kynlee Haskin, Hayden Hunter, and Sadie Saunders, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship.
The Rev. J.E. Moak Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Colquitt Regional Volunteers and the family of the late Rev. J.E. Moak, was awarded to Jaylah Dunbar and Kynlee Haskin. Both students plan to pursue careers in healthcare, with Dunbar attending Mercer University for nursing and Haskin pursuing studies in audiology or physical therapy at Georgia Southern University.
In addition to scholarships, Colquitt Regional awarded 10 Teacher Partnership Grants totaling $13,000 to local math and science educators to support innovative classroom projects that promote hands-on learning and interest in healthcare-related fields.
This year’s teacher grant recipients included Jessica Smith (Colquitt County High School), Flor Ileana Gallardo (C.A. Gray Jr. High School), Mariesha McCray (Willie J. Williams Middle School), Mary Anderson (J.M. Odom Elementary School), Brittany Beck (Norman Park Elementary School), Cynthia Harbort (Vereen School), Alexis Giddens (R.B. Wright Elementary School), Jennifer McCant (Sunset Elementary School), Jennifer Partain (Stringfellow Elementary School), and Erin Ricks (Hamilton Elementary School).
“Supporting education has long been a priority for Colquitt Regional,” said Colquitt Regional Foundation Chairman Lisa Perry. “These scholarships and grants represent more than financial assistance — they are an investment in the people who will shape the future of healthcare and education in our community.”
For more information about Colquitt Regional Medical Foundation scholarships, please contact the Colquitt Regional Medical Foundation at 229-890-3416.
