|
|
TACC Honorees
|
|
Photo courtesy of Tougaloo 40 Under 40
Tiffany Lewis, a Jackson MS native, is a graduate of St. Andrews Episcopal High School and a 2003 graduate of Tougaloo. She is the daughter of Ricky Williams ’79 and Beverly Haywood Williams ’81. She is a nationally certified Pharmacy Technician who has been employed with BJP Pharmacy since 1996 and currently serves as Manager.
In 2010, she began her first business endeavor, Carroll Creation. In 2012, she continued to pursue her entrepreneurial roots and became the successful business owner of Southern Scentsations, where she makes and sells natural organic soy wax candles, whipped body butter, and wax melts. Believing in the importance of continued education, she is enrolled in a Master of Business Administrator program. She lives in Jackson with her husband, Raul, and two children, Jayden and Kenneth Carroll.
|
|
Photo courtesy of Tougaloo 40 Under 40
Kendria Valencia Ward, M.D. FAAP, a native of Mound Bayou, MS (‘the jewel of the Delta’) is the middle child of her family. A 1998 cum laude graduate of Tougaloo College with a B.S. in Biology, she would later go on to complete her medical degree at Upstate Medical University at Syracuse, N.Y.; completing pediatric residency at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children in Falls Church, VA in 2006.
Whereas some would spend their entire lives in hopes of realizing their purpose, Kendria’s purpose was inadvertently revealed to her during her early adolescence.
As a child, her home was her clinic. She could typically be found “playing doctor” to her older sister and younger brother, both of whom were afflicted with sickle cell anemia. Giving a massage to soothe an aching back, arm, or joint; providing a cup of water to aid in the swallowing of medications; preparing a hot towel to relieve aches and pains; and if necessary, lending a shoulder to cry on were frequent activities for her. Caring for her siblings was not a chore, but a service voluntarily rendered.
During her childhood, Kendria saw first-hand the inequities in access to healthcare encumbered by those residing in poor and rural communities; thus, a passion to bridging that gap developed. She admired the work performed at the Delta Health Center, the oldest community health center in the United States, and innately felt compelled to ‘return to her roots.’
Upon completion of residency, Dr. Ward returned to Mississippi to fulfil her personal commitment. She currently serves as a general pediatrician at GA Carmichael Family Health Center in Canton, MS. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and a member of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Of all the awards/accolades bestowed upon her, Kendria’s greatest enjoyment comes from seeing a once fearful child running down the clinic hallways towards her with open arms exclaiming, ‘that’s my doctor!’
|
|
|
A 2015 TCNAA Alumnus of the Year:
Photo courtesy of Mr. Primus
Wheeler, Jr.
Primus Wheeler, Jr. is currently the Executive Director of the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation in Jackson, MS. He was born in a small Delta community to Mr. and Mrs. Primus Wheeler, Sr.. He is the oldest of eight (8) siblings, and the first Wheeler to receive a college degree. He graduated from Tougaloo College in 1972 with a B.S. in Biology. He also has an Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy from Hinds Community College and a Masters Degree in Education and Administration from Jackson State University.
Mr. Wheeler was employed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) from 1975 until 1986. As a UMC employee he served as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Director of Clinical Education and Chairman/Associate Professor of the Department of Respiratory Therapy in the School of Health Related Professions. Mr. Wheeler was also employed by Apria Healthcare from 1986 through 1996 as a regional vice president.
He returned to UMC in 1997 as Director of Ambulatory Services with the primary responsibility of moving the teaching clinics and support services to the Jackson Medical Mall. He also implemented a multi-practice primary healthcare center for UMC at the Jackson Medical Mall. The clinics combined provide more than 100,000 patient visits per year. In addition to operating the Ambulatory and Primary Care clinics at the Jackson Medical Mall for UMC, Mr. Wheeler joined the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation in 2001 as its Executive Director. The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation manages the Jackson Medical Mall facility. The facility is a one a kind comprehensive healthcare facility providing human, cultural, and
healthcare services to more than 200,000 clients per year.
Mr. Wheeler has achieved numerous honors and awards including Who’s Who Among Black Americans, the first annual “Outstanding Community Service Award” by the National Society of Allied Health, Regional Vice President of the Year, Apria Healthcare, is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Scholastic Honor Society, Alpha Eta National Scholastic Honor Society, and recipient of the National Role Model Administrator’s Award presented by Minority Access Incorporated. He is certified (CRTT) and registered (RRT) by the National Board of Respiratory Care. . He published the article “Manifestations and Treatment of the Hyaline Membrane Disease,” Alveolar Dispatch Volume I in 1980. He was also a consultant for the St. Dominic Hospital, Department of Respiratory Therapy, Florida A&M School of Allied Health and Mississippi State Board of Health.
Mr. Wheeler is currently a member of many professional and community organizations including Life Member, Tougaloo National Alumni Association, the American Association for Respiratory Care, The National Board for Respiratory Care, Rotary Club of Jackson, Mississippi Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers and 100 Black Men of Jackson. He also serves on the Boards of Rotary Club of Jackson, the Voice of Calvary Family Health Center, Tougaloo College Board of Trustees, and is the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Cade Chapel M. B. Church.
He is happily married to Mrs. Earlene J. Wheeler and they have two adult children, Primus III and Niki, and four grandchildren.
Primus’ favorite quote:
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve - the fear of failure.”
|
|
|
