Five dedicated Baptist Memorial Health Care team members — Cecilia DeVos, Britney Fortson, Emmajin Howard, Chantoinette Lewis and Mercedee Orth — have been awarded the Reach for the Stars (RFTS) Nursing Scholarship to cover the cost of pursuing a nursing degree. Please keep reading to learn more about them and the upcoming deadline to apply for the spring 2027 RFTS Nursing Scholarship.
The national RFTS Nursing Scholarship Program was founded in 2016 to help address the ongoing nursing shortage in the U.S. Anonymous benefactors started the program to honor family members who were nurses. The scholarships are awarded to those who meet eligibility criteria at partner hospitals.
“This scholarship program is an amazing opportunity for our team members to achieve their dreams of becoming registered nurses,” said System Director of Nursing Professional Development Nicki Staples. “The selection process is competitive, and we’re so proud of our first five scholarship recipients.”
RFTS Nursing Scholarship Recipients
Cecilia DeVos has been a dedicated team member at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle since 2023. She began as a patient care assistant in Oncology and now works as a nurse intern. She wants to become a chemotherapy-certified registered nurse. DeVos stands out for her professionalism, communication skills, work ethic, determination to advance and ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
Britney Fortson is a licensed practical nurse with NEA Cardiology Clinic. She has served at the clinic since 2024 and is known for her dedication, cheerful personality and positive patient interactions. Fortson attributes her drive to the kindness and generosity of her grandmother. Working alongside her grandmother, she learned early in life that true service is found in both extraordinary and everyday moments of caring for others.
Emmajin Howard is a patient care assistant who has been with Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi since 2024. She was inspired to become a nurse after witnessing the care shown to her 15-year-old friend when he received a heart transplant. She dreams of giving that same level of care to her future patients.
Chantoinette Lewis has been a Baptist Memorial team member since 2021 and is a customer service coordinator at Baptist Cancer Center-Tipton. She stands out for her positive attitude and compassion for others. She has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was a young girl, and when her father was diagnosed with cancer she made becoming a nurse one of her life goals.
Mercedee Orth has been with Baptist North Mississippi for nearly five years and is currently serving in a dual role as unit secretary and patient care technician. Nursing leaders highly recommended her for consistently showing initiative and demonstrating calmness in high-stress situations.
Apply for a Spring 2027 RFTS Nursing Scholarship
Baptist Memorial accepts RFTS Nursing Scholarship applications twice a year for fall and spring admissions. The spring 2027 scholarship application deadline is Oct. 15, 2026.
To learn more about the scholarship, eligibility requirements and the application process, please visit Baptist Memorial’s Reach for the Stars intranet page or email rfts@bmhcc.org.
