Bradley County Medical and Health Foundation held a fundraiser Friday at Immanuel Baptist Church to honor eight physicians.
Foundation President Bridgette Harding and Bradley County Medical Center CEO Leslie Huitt said the funds raised would go towards laptop computers to assist with staff training.
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Freelance Contributor
Glenetta Burks served as master of ceremonies. Harding gave the welcome and the Rev. Dixon Platt gave the invocation. A catered dinner by Dorey’s was served by Warren High School students.
Alonzo Hampton, a Warren native and current head coach of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions, was the keynote speaker.
Burks introduced Hampton, saying she taught him in seventh grade at Warren Middle School and that he was a “math whiz.”
“Warren, Arkansas, is a special place,” Hampton said, recalling that he played football under coach Tommy Arnold.
He also noted former Warren School Superintendent Andrew Tolbert. “I don’t take any job without talking to Andrew Tolbert and Frank Anthony. Football takes you on a journey,” Hampton said.
Of current athletic director and head football coach Bo Hembree, he said, “I support him and he supports me.”
Turning to the doctors to be honored, Hampton said, “What you do is provide hope. I appreciate y’all staying here.” He also commented that his wife has a nursing degree.
At UAPB, he said, “We want to restore the pride. It’s not about how big your house is, it’s about the impact you leave.”
He recognized former Warren football star Reid McKinney and said, “At Warren, we did academics. My mentors talked about academics.”
“I tore my ACL coaching at Warren High School,” he said, adding that he waited to have surgery until after the season was over and after WHS won its first state football championship.
He said foundation Vice Chairwoman Dr. Sue Martin was one of his teachers. He recalled always asking her to watch him run.
Hampton urged support for UAPB as it is the only historically black college or university in the state.
“With the support I had in this (Warren) school system, I made it,” he concluded.
Among the doctors honored were:
- Dr. Althea Conley Augustine. Beverly Rawls accepted her award.
- Dr. Bradley Biggers. Hayden Lassiter accepted his award.
- Dr. Scott Claycomb.
- Dr. Kristen Dent.
- Dr. Dichelle George. Nancy Vittitow accepted her award.
- Dr. Kerry Pennington.
- Dr. Michelle Weaver.
- Dr. Joe Wharton.
