Biography of Ms. Eliza Pillars
Ms Eliza Farish Pillars was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on April 26, 1892. She
attended public school in Jackson and Utica Junior College, Utica, Mississippi. From there, she
studied nursing at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. After graduating in 1914, she
worked as an office nurse for several doctors and in several hospitals in Jackson, Mississippi.
Ms Pillars contributed significantly to the public health work during her tenure with the
Mississippi State Board of Health. Her responsibilities were largely in two areas of public health
services: Midwifery supervision and health education in Negro schools and colleges throughout the
state. Ms Pillars did much individual and group teaching, especially in supervising non-nurse
midwives. She taught hygiene classes to students and teachers, working closely with them to improve
the health of schoolchildren. Through these courses, many young women were inspired to enter
nursing.
Ms Pillars played a prominent role after Mississippi’s historic 1927 flood. She worked
diligently with the American Red Cross to set up first-aid stations in Vicksburg and Natchez to care
for flood refugees coming down the Mississippi River from the state's Delta region. Ms Pillars also
owned and operated a small hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
On January 25, 1957, at the Essex House in New York, Ms Pillars was the fourteenth and
last recipient of the Mary Mahoney Medal. This medal was the highest award given by the National
Association of Colored Graduate Nurses for distinguished service to nursing and the community.
The American Association now presents this award. Ms Pillars was inducted posthumously into the
Mississippi Nurses’ Association’s Hall of Fame during the observance of their Diamond Jubilee on
October 15, 1986.
As the years passed, Ms Pillars’ eyesight failed, and although she never became totally blind,
she had to give up the work that she was so committed to on September 30, 1941. She was very
dedicated because she believed her being here made a difference. Ms Pillars died on June 15, 1970,
at 78.
In 1991, Dr. Rosie Lee Calvin, President of District IV in Jackson, presented a portrait of
Miss Eliza Pillars to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Dr. Allen B. Cobb, State Health
Officer, humbly accepted the portrait, which now hangs in the Mississippi State Department of
Health Underwood Building lobby.
Recognition from the State Senator
Greetings from the Mayor
Greetings from the State President
Greetings and salutations,
Thank you for the invitation to this illustrious event. It gives me great pleasure, as your 19 th State
President, to be here with you tonight. I applaud District II for its commitment to the mission of Eliza
Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi, and I celebrate the accomplishments of each person being
awarded here tonight. Tonight, stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the
members of Eliza, District II, and the students being recognized tonight.
Eliza’s motto is “ An Organization Dedicated to Excellence in Healthcare.” Being dedicated to excellence, our expectations are high. Your presence here tonight indicates that you have met our high standards.
You are the “cream of the crop.” Nursing is not for the faint of heart. It is a career path that
provides many opportunities to help others live an optimal life. It cannot be just about the money.
Therefore, I challenge each of you to start where you are, do what you can, and use what you have
on your journey to becoming the best nurses you can possibly be. It is time to celebrate excellence—
Y-O-U! Best wishes for a long, satiating career of nursing bliss! Kudos to you all!
Yours in Service,
Nia T. Day, DNP, NP-C
Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi
19 th State President
Greetings from District 2President
Greetings,
Once again, it is that time of year when Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi,
come together to provide resources to aspiring nurses for help in fulfilling their dreams.
Since 1987, Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi District II, has been committed
to community service, outreach, education, continuing education, mentorship, and
coaching for nurses throughout the Mississippi Delta. We remain dedicated to recruiting,
counseling, influencing the development and evolution of nursing education, and
advocating against healthcare disparities in underserved populations.
Our organization boasts a diverse group of registered and advanced practice nurses who
have made significant contributions to advancing the nursing profession for people of
color. This effort has increased the visibility of black nurses in our communities and
across the nation.
Our goal this evening is to acknowledge previous scholarship recipients, thank our
sponsors for their dedication and contributions, and secure funds to continue providing
financial support to future scholarship recipients. We also want to highlight the nurses,
physicians, and businesses that help bridge the gap between novice, expert, and
entrepreneurial roles in nursing.
This Scholarship Gala would not be possible without the continuous help and support of
our members, sponsors, attendees, and community partners. Thanks to your personal
commitment, collaboration, and contributions, we can remain a driving force in
improving health conditions and enhancing the health status of our communities.
With gratitude,
Dr. Gloria Green-Morris, APRN, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Scholarship Committee Chair, President, EPRNM District II
Greetings from the Event Chair
Congratulations
Scholarship Recipients
Tamika Sharkey
Mississippi Delta Community College School of Nursing
Mikayla Wilson
Coahoma County Community College School of Nursing
Alexis Young
Willie Simmons Nursing Scholarship
Program
Mistress of Ceremony
Mrs. Willie Mae Jackson, Program Chair
7:00 PM
Welcome/Occasion
Mrs. Willie Mae Jackson, Chair Door Prize, Mrs. Audrey Landrum
Invocational Grace
Pastor Ezell Landrum, Chaplain
Dinner Served
Smooth Jazz, Aaron Smith Band Door Prize, Mrs. Audrey Landrum
Order of Program
7:30 PM
Scholarship & Awards Ms. Kiyo Holmes & Ms. Geneva Curry Willie Simmons Nursing Scholarship Special Awards
Honoring Our Own Slide Show Presentation
Recognition of Sponsors Dr. LaWanda Harris, Co-Chair
Remarks/Acknowledgments Dr. Gloria Green-Morris, President District II Dr. Nia Day, 19 th State President
Door Prize, Mrs. Audrey Landrum
Entertainment
Aaron Smith Band 8:00 PM until 11:PM
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
What a great opportunity for me to honor my mentors! Mrs. Mazie Whalen provided me with knowledgeable advice and career support. I’ve known Mazie for all 37 of my nursing years. She was my mentor when I was “fresh” in my career and the Assistant Director of Nursing when I started in 1987. Mrs. Whalen has always been an educator and took pride in ensuring new nurses are well-equipped to perform their duties. This included every aspect of patient assessments, nursing uniforms, hair, nails, and jewelry. She was instrumental in department cross-training and problem-solving. She has truly earned every promotion and honor she has received, even to the level of Hospital CEO.
Audrey Landrum, RN
Thank you, Mrs. Mazie Whalen, for your incredible contributions, unwavering support, and wisdom. You have inspired me, and I am so grateful for everything you have done. Thanks for guiding me down the right path. You are a fantastic nurse mentor worthy of emulation. You deserve a big thank you from me! One of the most resounding words of wisdom you gave me was to "Use your basic nursing knowledge in any nursing field you choose to go into." As a result of those words of wisdom, I ultimately became a "Nurse Entrepreneur" and founded HMI Healthcare. Nurse entrepreneurship created financial freedom by blending nursing skills and administrative skills that you taught me. I have been truly blessed with a professional nursing and business career that has allowed schedule flexibility and, most importantly, given me the ability to serve in Ministry.
Deuteronomy 32:11-13
11) As an eagle (Mazie Whalen) stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young (Nurses), spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
12) So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.
13) He made him (Ezell) ride on the high places (HMI) of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;
Ezell Landrum, RN
State Chaplain, Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of MS-1
CEO & Owner, HMI Healthcare (www.hmihealthcareagency.com)
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Platinum Level
Gold Level
Silver Level
Silver Level
Silver Level
Silver Level
Honoring Our Own
Advanced Practice Nurses & Entrepreneurs '
Geneva Curry CFNP, ANCC, BC Premier Medical Clinic
Tammarin Collins, FNP-BC Maximum Care Clinic
1504 Hospital Street Greenville, MS 38701 Tel.:662.378.9929 Fax:662.378.9926
212 Highway 61 Shaw, MS 38773 Tel.:662.754.3339 Tollfree:885.710.6575
Queeniece Gannison, DNP, APRN FNP-BC 2363 Hwy 1 South Greenville, MS, 38701 662.334.1253 qgannison@deltahealthcenter.org
Regina Evans, MSN, RN, FNP-BC Delta Health System ER Services 662.725.2000
Charmie Murphy, FNP-BC UPPAL Medical Center
Dr. Renita Hogan & Dr.Roxie Hogan O,U,R. Counseling Services, PLLC Tel.:731.207.4496 Email: ocounselingservices@gmail.com
1727 E. Union Street Greenville, MS 38701 Tel.:662.537.4830
Yakitta Landrum-Lovett MSN, RN APRN, FNP-BC Delta Health System, The Medical Center Nurse Practitioner & Nurse Manager Strides Rehabilitation Center 662.725.2209
Joante Kirk-Henry DNP, FNP-BC Travel Nurse Practitioner
Honoring Our Own
Advanced Practice Nurses & Entrepreneurs '
Felicia Preston-Williams, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Owner Next Level Health & Wellness
Yolanda Murry, FNP-C, MSN, RN Essential Healthcare Clinic 5842 Goodman Rood Horn Lake, MS 38637 Tel.:66HWC@2.510.8566 Email:HWMCINIC@GMAIL.COM
112 W Washington St Hollandale, MS 38748 662.807.5007
Lesia Thomas PMHNP, FNP-BC Priority After Hours Clinic –Owner
Sherrica Smith, FNP-BC Delta Health Center Moorhead 110 West Washington Street Moorhead, MS 3876 Off.:662.246.8028 Fax:662.246.5847 Email:ssmith@deltahealthcener.org
1313 E. Union Street Greenville, MS 38701 Tel.:662.702.5427
Kajuandria Williams , APRN, FNP-BC Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute 1975 Nonconnah Blvd Memphis, TN 38132 O:901.337.1625 F:901.221.2218 kwilliams@metro-cardio.com
Ashley Tollfree-Byas, DNP, FNP-BC.
Gyton Williams-Campbell, FNP-BC Clinical Director
Valina Williams, PMHNP-BC Healing Hearts Center 365 Reed Road Greenville, MS 38701
Fast Pace Urgent Care Greenville, MS 38701
Honoring Our Own
Advanced Practice Nurses & Entrepreneurs '
Tomeka Wright-Little, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, NCRME Delta Health Center 801 Broad Street Leland, MS 38756 O:662.686.0295 F:662.771.4082 twritht@deltahealthcenter.org
Csqshundra Cox, MSN, FNP-BC Cox Healthcare Clinic 365 W. Reed Road, Suite C Greenville, MS 38701 Ph: 662.702.3944 Fax; 662.702.3945 coxhealthcare@gmail.com coxheathcare.com Sharron S. Moore, MSN, FNP-BC Delta Health Center 14000 Highway 82 West Itta Bena MS 38941 O: 662.741.8800 F: 662.579.3447 ssmoore@deltahealthcenter.org
Mary Bolden, MSN, APRN, FNP-C Clinical Director Fast Pace Urgent Care Clinic
616 HWY 82 W Indianola, MS, 38751 O: 662.635.8680 F:662.635.8681
616 S. State Street Clarksdale, MS, 38614
O: 662.966.1012 F:662.966.1913
Dr, Glynn Standifer USA, Owner 1906 Leflore Avenue Greenwood, MS 38930 P: 662.219.0275 F: 662.219.0276 C: 662.719.8640
Bobby Johnson, MSN, FNP-BC Delta Health Center 100 East Washington Street Hollandale, MS 38748 O: 662.847.7400; 662.827.7407
Mist Mauceli Lewis Realty Bernita Scott Burden
Scott’s Custom Care Audio Installation by Elvis 1311 Highway 82 East Greenville, MS 38703 662.378.3842
Broker Sales Associate/MBA. 1525 Highway 1 South-Suite F Greenville, MS 38701 www.zillow.com www.realtor.com D: 662.334.9943 E:662.335.4080
Congratulations to Mazie Whalen
You are truly a pillar in your community. May you have a Successful Scholarship Gala 2024.
District 2 Officers
PRESIDENT
Dr. Gloria Green-Morris
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Mr. Ezell Landrum
RECORDING SECRETARY
Ms. Brianna Purnell
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Ms. Lakesia Ollie
TREASURER
Mrs. Norma Evans-Seals
CHAPLAIN
Mr. Ezell Landrum
SARGEANT-AT-ARMS
Mrs. Patricia Barber
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Ms. Dawn Peery
Acknowledgments
Sponsors Commissioner Willie Simmons
Event & Venue Full Service
Greenville Golf & Country Club
Backdrop & Photography
Ralph’s Photography
Centerpiece Decor
Mazie Whalen & Diana Green Entertainment Aaron Smith Band
Souvenir Book Design & Marketing
ascension business solutions, llc
Printing Service
The Autumn Branch Productions and Events
Planning Committee
Mrs. Willie Mae Jackson, Chair Dr. LaWanda Harris, Co-Chair Ms. Vernessia Coleman Ms. Geneva Curry Mrs. Norma Evans-Seals Mrs. Valerie Frazier-Griffin Dr. Gloria Green-Morris Ms. Kiyo Holmes Mrs. Audrey Landrum Mrs. Mazie Whalen Menu
Classic Fried Chicken w/ Creamy Country Gravy Savory Skin on Garlic Mashed Potatoes Or Mississippi Catfish Piccata w/ Lemon Sauce Over Angel Hair Pasta
Seasoned Green Beans Baked Roll w/ Butter Coffee & Iced Tea Cheesecake
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