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WCUCOM associate dean receives Pinnacle leadership award
Dr. Melissa Stephens received the 2023 Evelyn Gandy Women’s Leadership Award during the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, held April 11 at Lake Terrace Convention Center.
“Evelyn Gandy created such an incredible legacy of public service, leadership, and advocacy for women in Mississippi. I am humbled and honored to receive this award in her name for my service in the state,” Stephens said.
Dr. Stephens is associate dean of Primary Care and Graduate Medical Education, and professor of clinical sciences, at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. This statewide award recognizes her dedication to a career spent caring for underserved communities and vulnerable patient populations – and training the next generation of physicians.
Dr. Stephens leads a number of population health initiatives at the medical school: Tar Wars, a tobacco-free education program; Child Advocacy Studies Training; Curriculum in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Choosing Wisely STARS (Students and Trainees Advocating for Resource Stewardship); and STARS UNITE (Utilizing Nursing and Interprofessional Team Expertise).
In addition to a long list of roles in community and statewide initiatives, Dr. Stephens has received the WCUCOM Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators’ Marguerite Elliott Innovation in Clinical Medical Education Award. She serves as president of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation’s board of trustees.
Three people from William Carey University were finalists for Pinnacle’s Bud Kirkpatrick Professional Award:
- Katelyn Brown, WCU student majoring in elementary education and co-director of X-Finity Dance Academy;
- Dean Pace, WCU director of Financial Aid; and
- Dr. Robert Thompson, WCU School of Business assistant professor
The Mississippi Pinnacle Awards are presented annually by Sales & Marketing Professionals during a statewide gala to benefit student internships and scholarships for the next generation of sales and marketing professionals.
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