PURPOSE
The purpose of the MLMNS is to provide an academic-weighted financial award to a high school senior student currently enrolled in the Shelby County ATC pre-nursing program who exhibits academic accomplishment in both general and nursing curricula, a significant financial barrier to attending college, and is actively seeking admission to an accredited program of nursing education at a college or university within the state of Kentucky.
FOUNDER
The MLMNS was founded by one of Mrs. Meredith’s former students, Michael Todd Rucker, and his family. Todd credits Mrs. Meredith’s extraordinary direction and unwavering encouragement for setting him on the path to a successful career in healthcare.
In 1998-99, he was enrolled in Mrs. Meredith’s pre-nursing courses at the Shelby Co. ATC. Her early recognition of his potential led to his election as State Vice-President of the Kentucky Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) organization. Her persistent support and dedication culminated in Todd’s application and acceptance to Kentucky State University with a four-year academic scholarship. After graduating Cum Laude with a BS Biology from KSU, he earned a BS Nursing from Bellarmine University and joined the US Navy Nurse Corps.
In 2016 he earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USU) and is a Board-Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Todd is a Commander in the Navy and is currently stationed in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Yayi and three kids. He currently serves as Chief CRNA at Naval Hospital Jacksonville.
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MLMNS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Missy Mann RN
Missy was a student in Mrs. Meredith's LPN to RN program at Shelby County ATC in 1992-93, during which she worked as a nursing assistant . She completed her LPN from KY Tech in 1994 and earned an Associates Degree from Kentucky State University in 1995 and passed her NCLEX-RN. Missy continued working at Crestview Nursing Center as a registered nurse until 1998. She continued her nursing career at Jewish Hospital Louisville for the next 14 years on a surgical critical care unit. In 2012, she started a new adventure in biometric screenings and health education. Missy currently continues her work in biometrics and is a school nurse.
Jody is also a former student of Mrs. Meredith's 1993 LPN to RN class at the Shelby County ATC during which she worked as a nursing assistant at Bradford Square Nursing Home in Frankfort. She completed courses in the Jefferson Community College LPN program and two semesters of nursing prerequisites at Kentucky State University, but ultimately decided not to pursue a career in nursing. She has spent the past 22 years as a state government employee including six years in the Department for Public Health's Immunization Program as the State Influenza Coordinator. In 2016, she returned to clinical healthcare, graduating as a Licensed Massage Therapist from Lexington Healing Arts Academy. Jody currently runs her own massage therapy business. Her oldest daughter, Makayla graduated from EKU's BSN program in 2018 and her youngest daughter, Allie graduated from EKU's Medical Laboratory Sciences program in 2020.
Jody Smith LMT
Michael Todd Rucker DNP, CRNA, CDR, NC, USN
Teresa Durr Friddell BSN, RN
Teresa is a former student of Mrs. Meredith's and was enrolled in the 1992-1994 LPN to RN class at the Shelby County ATC. Following high school graduation, she completed the 1 year LPN program and began her first nursing job at Shelby Manor Health Center. In 2000, Teresa took a leap of faith and started working at Kindred Hospital in Louisville while taking classes towards her Associates degree in nursing. She graduated from Spencerian College in 2003 with an Associates in Nursing and passed her NCLEX-RN exam. Teresa immediately took an RN position on the neuroscience unit at Baptist East Hospital, where she has worked as a charge nurse for the past 13 years. In 2012, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University.
"Mrs. Meredith didn't just teach us nursing skills, but life skills as well. She showed us that no matter your background, you can make a lasting impression and a positive impact on those you serve. I am forever grateful to her."
"As a nurse, I want to make my patients well. But if I can’t, I’m going to love them with all I have"
"Although I did not end up in the nursing field, Mrs. Meredith instilled in me a desire to help people, which I have ultimately fulfilled in my role as a massage therapist."
"You never stop being a nurse, and nurses never stop learning. I'm grateful for the opportunities this career has afforded me."
"I always knew I wanted to be a nurse, just like my mother, Linda Cammuse."
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Debbie was Principal of the Shelby County Area Technology Center from 1997-2008. She has also served as State CTE Director for the Kentucky Department of Education and Instructional Specialist for Jefferson County Public Schools. In 2018, she joined the Southern Regional Education Board bringing 35 years of experience in career and technical education (CTE). As the current program director for Teaching to Lead, Debbie directs a research-based model for professional development services specifically designed for the needs of new CTE teachers entering the field through an alternative certification route. Debbie earned her Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing Education from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Science in Occupational Training and Development from the University of Louisville. In 2010, Debbie was honored as a Distinguished Alumna of EKU's Department of Management, Marketing and Administrative Communication. Additional honors include finalist for the Shelby County Business and Professional Women’s Club "Woman of Achievement", finalist for the Kentucky Tech Teacher of the Year award and winner of the Outstanding Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Adviser award for Region 3 in the state of Kentucky.
Debbie Anderson
"Mrs. Meredith is a fabulous nurse educator. At SCATC, she elevated the nursing program to a level of respect and pride in our local healthcare community."
"Many talented people practice in healthcare professions today because of the impact Mrs. Meredith had on their individual career path."
Cresta Young Payton RN
" I love being the school nurse at SCHS and hearing from the nursing students currently enrolled at the ATC. The excitement in their eyes is priceless."
Cresta is a former student of Mrs. Meredith's, enrolled in the 1998-1999 LPN to RN class at the Shelby County ATC. Following graduation, she earned her Associates Degree in Nursing from Kentucky State University. She has a multitude of experience in various nursing roles, including with Baptist Lagrange, Family Allergy & Asthma and Kindred Home Health. Since 2021, she has served as the School Nurse at Shelby County High School. As our newest MLMNS Board member, Cresta will provide in-person guidance as a liaison to current ATC nursing students interested in applying for the scholarship.
"Mrs. Meredith was the best nursing instructor I ever had. She not only taught us the core values of nursing; she taught us so much about being adults. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't use something she taught us. From washing hands, to which way the pillow should face on the bed, to how to treat patients. Whether it's in my day-to-day nursing career or just my personal life, I often hear her voice."