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Benjamin Day (Class of 2024) was recently selected as a Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) Nathan Deal Scholar, announced MUSM Dean Jean Sumner, M.D.

Nathan Deal Scholars are selected based on their strong ties to rural Georgia, character, leadership qualities, community involvement and their likelihood of serving in rural, underserved Georgia after their scholarship obligations are met. The recipients receive 85-100% of tuition for up to four academic years.

“The Nathan Deal Scholarship enables and supports students who want to return to rural communities to become outstanding physicians. These scholars represent the highest commitment to providing excellent health care to rural Georgians,” said Dr. Sumner. “This scholarship removes a financial burden of medical school debt, which has been a perceived hurdle for doctors going into less populated areas. With this support, students plan on practicing quality medicine in the small towns they know and love.”

The mission of investing in students from rural Georgia so that they can return to their hometowns virtually debt-free and be trained to serve the rural, underserved communities of Georgia is what drew Day to the Nathan Deal Scholarship.

“I saw the Nathan Deal Scholarship as an opportunity to address the health care needs in my community as well as alleviate the financial burden that comes along with medical school,” said Day.

Day knows the health care struggles in the underserved, rural areas of Georgia and hopes to someday give back to his hometown community.

“I feel blessed to be selected and to have the opportunity to serve my community,” he added.
Benjamin is the son of Roger and Chris Day.

“The Nathan Deal Scholars will make a difference in the health status of Georgians,” added Dr. Sumner. “This scholarship is one more way Mercer is reinforcing its commitment to rural Georgia.”