LOCAL NEWS | Education — Sepsis exists as a real problem for America’s healthcare facilities. It happens when your body triggers an extreme chain reaction in response to an infection. Hospital patients, especially those over the age of 65 and suffering with chronic disease, are especially susceptible. It affects more than 1.5 million U.S. patients annually and is estimated to be responsible for as many as one in three hospital deaths.
When Fayetteville resident John J. Smith died from sepsis, his family members decided be part of the solution by funding an annual scholarship targeted at sepsis prevention. They collaborated with Motlow Nursing Dean Pat Hendrix to develop the John Smith Memorial Scholarship. Motlow College awarded the first annual scholarships to two area students recently: nursing student Mark Miller and EMS student Ashleigh Whaley. The Smith family will fund the annual scholarship for the next five years.
It’s an example of targeted giving aimed at positive social change … specifically increasing sepsis awareness and reducing the number of preventable deaths. It’s part of an combined effort that’s pushed Motlow to the forefront of national sepsis education. During September and in conjunction with National Sepsis Awareness Month, Motlow State and the Smith family partnered to present Think Sepsis First, a conference that informed hundreds of students and healthcare professionals about the dangers of sepsis.
“The Sepsis conference was a wonderful event for us to help initiate and sponsor, and we believe the impact of the conference will be far reaching in saving lives. But as a family we wanted to do more,” said Debra Smith, John Smith’s widow. “Joining hands with the Foundation to annually provide a nursing and an EMS student with educational financial support seemed perfect to our family. John always gave so much to his community, his work, and those he cared about. It means so much to us to remember John in this special way, and to continue to push for greater sepsis awareness.”
Motlow Foundation Executive Director Lane Yoder encourages donors to give with a purpose and specific goals in mind. Anyone interested in targeted, goal-driven educational giving should contact Yoder at 931-393-1692 or [email protected]. •
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