DR. LINDA WALDEN was speaker at Saturday’s summer program graduation. Pictured, front row, l-r, Dr. Linda Walden, Ericka Lopez, Amaya Gordon, Faith Tise, Bre’Ijaha Swaine-Garland and Cairo Mayor Booker Gainor; back row, Chandler Allen, Bryceton Barrett, Shemar Jones and Kaniesha Burden.
A group of Cairo high school students interested in healthcare careers recently completed a summer program offered through Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, located in Moultrie. The Opportunities Academy was held in June and on the last day, the students received certificates of completion. Family physician Dr. Linda Walden of Grady County was keynote speaker of the ceremony, which was also attended by Cairo Mayor Booker Gainor.
The college, itself, was founded in 1899 in Philadelphia, and established its first Georgia campus 11 years ago in Suwanee to respond to the acute need for more healthcare providers to serve Georgia and surrounding states. Graduates are encouraged to serve the under served and where the need is greatest—inner cities and rural areas with severe provider shortages.
Grady County students who took part in the summer program were Erika Lopez, Amaya Gordon, Faith Tise, Bre’Ijaha Swaine-Garland, Chandler Allen, Bryceton Barrett, Shemar Jones and Kaniesha Burden.
