Dr. H.G. Walters Medical Scholarship awarded

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

On October 24, 2015, Columbus County lost a stellar citizen and surgeon.  Dr. H.G. Walters was 93 and was well known for caring for the citizens of Columbus County and beyond.  Dr. Walters son, Dr. Ron Walters, carries on the tradition of skilled medical care in his practice, Walters Surgical Associates.

The H. G. Walters Medical Scholarship was initiated in 2002 with a gift of $4,000 in honor of Dr. Walters by Southeast Diagnostics, owned by Dr. John Hodgson and Dr. David Martin.  Dr. Hodgson is a long time SCC Foundation board member and supporter. Dr. Martin is an alumni of SCC and a strong supporter as well.  The desire of both doctors was to see the scholarship grow to an endowed status.  Additional contributions designated for the scholarship fund from the Walters, their family and friends allowed the scholarship to reach endowed status in 2014. The first award was made in fall 2015.

The first recipient of the Dr. H.G. Walters Medical Scholarship is Megan Bailey.  With a 4.0 GPA, Megan was accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing program at SCC this past fall.  Her goal is to graduate from SCC as a registered nurse and to continue her education with the goal of earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

“I’m determined to become a nurse so that I may be a servant to those in need. As a non-traditional student, I have had obstacles that have presented themselves but that I have overcome,” Megan stated.  “I am so honored to be the first recipient of this scholarship awarded in Dr. Walters’ name.  I regret that I did not have the opportunity to meet him prior to his death, however, as a nursing student I am currently involved in clinical rotations at Columbus Regional and have had the opportunity to meet his son, Dr. Ron Walters.  He is very supportive of the nursing program at SCC.  I have expressed to him my appreciation for this scholarship.  I hope he is assured that I was the right choice for his dad’s scholarship. I intend to make everyone who contributed to this scholarship proud of me,” Megan concluded.

Megan is a 2005 graduate of West Bladen High School. She is married to Stephen Bailey and is the daughter of Donald and Phyllis Powers of Bladenboro. After graduating from UNC Pembroke with a degree in science with a concentration in biology and environmental science, Megan decided to return to SCC to purse a degree in nursing.

“Generous donors to the SCC Foundation have ensured many named scholarships for our students,” said Executive dean of institutional advancement, Sue Hawks. “This educational facility allows Columbus County to educate our citizens and the SCC Foundation assures funding for students who lack the means to reach their educational goals.  Approximately 60% of the registered nurses and licensed practical nurses working in Columbus County were trained through SCC’s nursing program. Medical professionals in the county realize how important this statistic is and many support the SCC Foundation. Thank you donors,” she said.

Contributions in memory of Dr. H.G. Walters are currently being received to continue to build the Walters Medical Scholarship, per the family’s request.  Gifts to the SCC Foundation may be mailed to P.O. Box 151, Whiteville, NC 28472, contributed on-line at www.sccnc.edu or by Master Card and Visa at 642-7141, ext. 320 or 260.