VETERAN’S DAY SALUTE
Vol 18, No. 6 • November 2018
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Dr. Carroll uses nursing/research skills to help children gain access to health care fessional expertise in research. "We need people to make a difference behind the scenes," she said. Carroll is looking to focus her research on health disparities and the social determinates of health care so that children have equal access to health care. Carroll said she has always loved working in pediatric medicine. "A lot of it (access to healthcare) is community based," Carroll said so her work will center in local communities starting in the tri-state area around Memphis. "We'll be looking at problems our children face. "Ideally, I hope it (the research) will close the gap with health inequalities and make people more aware of being healthy." Her work will take her to Lacretia Carroll out-patient clinics, homes and community groups. The research work will allow her Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835 to "enough hands-on" nursing as she works on policies for giving children healthier tomorrows. "We will get POSTAL PATRON things moving on how we care for them."
By Lucy Weber Caring for a child in the hospital or leading research studies in the community, Lacretia Carroll shows her heart for others through her nursing skills. Carroll, a Memphis resident, is a recent graduate of the University of the Tennessee School of Health Sciences with a Ph.D. in nursing science. She graduated from Corinth High School in 2007 before earning her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Huntsville and her master's degree from the University of Memphis. Carroll has worked as a critical care nurse for both adults and children, and now she plans to use her knowledge and proReturn
see CARROLL pg 4
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A dream comes true for future pharmacist By Lucy Weber Xeneia Sorrell of Rienzi will soon be making her fashion statement in a pharmacist's white coat. "In four years I'll have my doctorate in pharmacy," said Sorrell, who was recently accepted into the pharmacy program at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., for next fall. A May graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in chemistry, Sorrell, 22, is taking additional classes to better prepare for her graduate degree. Working at a local pharmacy and meeting Union students serving professional rotations there, Sorrell said inspired her to check out the program at the Christian university they spoke so highly about. After doing her research, Sorrell said she applied for the entering 2019 class. "It all happened so quickly. I had my interview on a Friday (in September), and I was accepted on Monday," Sorrell said. "I'm ready to dive in." A graduate of Thrasher High School in Booneville, Sorrell said her interest in pharmacy arose after her mother began taking medication. "My curiosity grew," she said. "I want to learn about medicine and how the compounds are put
together." Sorrell said she's focusing on getting ready for her next four years at Union University, which she said is closer to her hometown than Starkville. Graduate school will be expensive so she said she is already looking into grants and scholarships. "My family and friends are very excited for me. It's good to have the support I have," she said. At Mississippi State, she is working part-time in the pharmacy at the College of Veterinary Medicine, which is good hands-on experience for her career, she said. "I love animals and this has absolutely cemented my desire to go to pharmacy school. With this job, I feel I will be ahead of my classmates when I arrive." What little free time she has, Sorrell enjoys her hobby of posing for friends, who are freelance photographers. "I started with one friend, and it started to grow." At 5-feet, 9-inches, Sorrell has that distinctive look of a model that is accentuated by her hair worn in what she calls "a big Afro." "I wouldn't call myself a fashionista," Sorrell said. "I like helping them (photographers) out." After spending time in front of the camera lens, Sorrell said she's also learning skills behind the camera as well. see SORRELL pg 4