The Ivy Center for Education celebrated its White, Green and Black Coat Ceremony and honored its Future Medical Professionals.
The Growing Our Own Medical Professionals Program/Club Scrub was made possible in part through a grant from the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation/JRMC Community Health Endowment.
First-year scholars receive white coats; second-year scholars green coats and third-year scholars black coats, according to a news release.
The White Coat honorees were Brooklyn Blanks, Stormie Collins, Kholea Ento, J’Ceri Gray, Maryah Lewis, David Olumofin, Blair Price, Paige Price, Madisyn Sanders and Zarya Thomas. They received stethoscopes, medallions and certificates.
The Green Coat honorees were Jalese Allen, Robert Barnes, Tianna Butler, Ja’Mya Goodloe, Kendol Greenwood, Carrington Jackson, Marleah Lewis, Sasha Miller and Maya Peoples. These scholars received medallions and certificates.
The Black Coat honorees were Kendall Anderson, Christopher Carlock, Alexandria Evans, Mariyah Greer, Kylee Monk, Dylan Parker and Jessica Parker. They received medallions and certificates.
The celebration, held recently at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, included meditation that was offered by Ivy student Christopher Carlock followed by a welcome and overview of the program from Mattie Collins, Ivy Center’s president/executive director. The occasion was given by Sasha Miller and Club Scrub Reflections by Blair Price.
Danielle Harris, UAMS South Central Education and Club Scrub coordinator, introduced the speaker, Dr. Rontae Graham, a dentist at Taylor and Carter Family Dentistry at Pine Bluff. Graham earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Central Arkansas and his Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors from Meharry Medical College.
Now residing in Pine Bluff with his wife and son, he is committed to community service including volunteering with ArMOM’s free dental clinic.
Harris, Collins and Ivy Center Board member LaTasha Carlock presented the 2025 White, Green and Black Coat honorees.
Students were recognized as four-year members of Ivy programs such as Future Medical Professionals, Future Engineers, and ACT Boot Camp. Attendees included Ivan Armour, Christopher Carlock, Sinez Herring and James Ento.
Nine high school seniors were spotlighted. Each received a Bible with their names engraved on it, and a monetary gift on behalf of the Ivy Center for Education Board of Directors for their continuous dedication to the Club Scrub Project.
Sponsors included: UAMS South Central, Tyson Foods, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc./Delta Omega Omega Chapter and the Alpha Rho Chapter at UAPB, 49 Exquisite Pearls of Perfection/Alpha Rho 1999, Go Forward Pine Bluff, Shantell Evans, Shunika Mosley, and Tina Fletcher, PhD. Dinner was catered by Moe’s Southwest Grill.
The Alpha Rho Chapter of AKA from UAPB served as hostesses, and Ivy Center Board Member Damiccah Robertson served as social media consultant. Janette Spicer, community supporter, served as photographer, and Jasmine Austin was the decorator.
The Ivy Center, founded May 21, 2004, is a college and career readiness/youth mentoring program created to promote higher education for 7th-12th graders.
The Growing Our Own Medical Professionals was started in the fall of 2016 from a vision of Ivy Center President Mattie Collins.
“Renisha Ward, former UAMS Club Scrub coordinator, made a dream come true for our wonderful scholars who plan to pursue medical/health professions. Ward named the group Club Scrub,” according to the news release.
Details: [email protected] or follow the Ivy Center on Facebook and Instagram or at ivycenterforeducation.com.
