LAKELAND (Sept. 26, 2011) – To encourage high-achieving minority high school students to pursue their dreams of a career in health care, the Multicultural Student Council at Florida Southern College will host its first Minority Achievement Forum on Sept. 30.

The Forum, which is supported by Lakeland Regional Medical Center, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Honeyman Pavilion at the entrance to Branscomb Auditorium on the FSC campus. Minority students from several area high schools who have high GPAs and a strong interest in pursuing a medical career have been invited to participate in a panel discussion with some of the area’s top health care professionals. The panelists represent a wide range of occupations and disciplines within the field including nursing, rehabilitation, neurology, trauma surgery, pharmacy, and medical technology (see biographies below). 

Dinner will be provided by the Lakeland chapter of the NAACP. The event is open by invitation only, and the media are welcome.

The Forum was organized by 2010 FSC graduate Jessica Campbell, who is now a registered nurse working at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

“Every student should be granted the opportunity to succeed. However, due to restrictions created by society, many are unaware of the possibilities. My focus in life is to help young people open their own door for success,” Campbell said.

FSC’s Multicultural Student Council exists to consequentially contribute to multicultural awareness and competence across the Florida Southern College Campus.  The organization carries out informative and entertaining cultural awareness programs that provide leadership opportunities for minority students.  It also seeks to provide a global learning environment that expands cultural knowledge and experiences for all students.

Minority Achievement Forum Panelists:
Dr. Robert Benjamin, trauma surgeon, Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Graduate of U.S. Military Academy at West Point and former infantry officer.

Jasmine Blocker, registered nurse and Assistant Unit Manager of the Medical Surgical Diabetes Center, Winter Haven Hospital.

Dr. Beverly Brown, advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), assistant professor and director of the graduate nursing program at Florida Southern College.  Dr. Brown oversees the Master of Science (MSN) program tracks in Adult Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. 

Dr. Duane Campbell, neurologist with Watson Clinic and director of the stroke unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Misilene Fulse, PharmD,  Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Pius N. Godwin, advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) at Godwin and Godwin.
Sandra Kong, technologist in the microbiology department at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Rizwana Mir, physical therapist, Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Carrie Riley Risher, registered nurse and education specialist, Lakeland Regional Medical Center.