COSAM News Articles 2018 August Society of Health Professionals Event Honors Students and Pre-Health Director Beverley Childress

Society of Health Professionals Event Honors Students and Pre-Health Director Beverley Childress

Published: 08/28/2018

By: Maria Gebhardt

On August 21, the Society of Health Professionals (SHP) gathered at the Auburn University Alumni Center. Guests networked and alumni reminisced about their time at Auburn University. Five outstanding students from the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) were given a copy of the perennial bestseller, The Quotable Osler, which provides students with important messages and valuable teachings that they can use in their medical careers. Another student was honored with a SHP scholarship.

Dr. Clay Harper, Chair of SHP, recognized each student at the event. Bethany Burgess would not have found her career path of dentistry without the Pre-Professional Advisory Committee (PPAC). “I was encouraged to try different areas of medicine that led me down the path to becoming a dentist,” she explained.

Austin Harper, a chemistry major, explains, “I am grateful to receive this honor at an event with leading members of the community’s medical profession.” Harper is also anticipating becoming a dentist.

Becky Martin, who desires to be a pediatrician, shared that being part of this event is a blessing that will stand out during her time here.

“Auburn University has so many talented students, it is humbling for COSAM to honor these talented seniors and me at tonight’s event,” explains JC Nichols, another student honored whose career goal is to become a pediatrician.

Aubri Smith, the third student with dreams of becoming a future pediatrician, felt it was an absolute honor to be selected among the extraordinary students in COSAM.

Nara Lee from Ulsan, South Korea was also recognized at the event. She is one of the recipients of the SHP scholarship and is looking forward to being a pediatric dentist so that she can help instill good dental habits in children from a very young age. She is going to be taking a gap year to visit family in South Korea and spend time learning more about the pharmaceutical industry.

Beverley Childress, Director of Pre-Health Professions Programs, was the recipient of a certificate announcing a scholarship endowed in her honor.

Childress is not only a 2017 Auburn University Woman of Distinction, but a legend to countless students and alumni at COSAM. She was hired as a COSAM academic advisor in 1996 and became director in 2000. She continues to prepare students for successful careers in the health professions and guides them through the process of applying to many types of professional school programs. Childress is also the advisor for the Auburn Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the National Health Preprofessional Honor Society.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by my mentor, Dr. Lawrence Wit, with a lasting tribute that will also help future students prepare for stellar careers in the health professions. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with these talented students,” shared Childress.