Local scholarship winners were announced at the recent International Convention of The King’s Daughters and Sons in Midland, Michigan.

The Brookhaven Willing Heart’s Circle of the International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons announced three students, each studying in advanced health care programs in Mississippi, have been awarded Health Career Scholarships.

The recipients are Jessica Ruiz, Kelly Doremus Pippin and her husband, Zach Pippen.

According to Lori Jackson, Health Careers Scholarship Chairman, they were chosen because they have been excellent students and demonstrated a passion for serving others.

Ruiz

Jessica Ruiz is a graduate of Wesson Attendance Center and the University of Mississippi. After deliberating her choice of major, she decided on pharmacy school at Ole Miss and will start her second year as a pharmacy student this fall. Ruiz learned about the scholarships offered and applied after she attended the summer program for Chautauqua Scholars during in 2013. The institute’s summer program lets students enjoy the summer studying art and music.

Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Ruiz of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Wesson. Ruiz said her parents were in Wesson during her school years and moved to Arizona after she left home for Oxford.

Ruiz has traveled the United States as well as Mexico, Guatemala and Japan volunteering for missions. Because of her family’s emphasis on service work growing up, she would like to one day volunteer as a medical assistant on overseas missions.

“I just love helping people, and I learned growing up that there are a lot of people less fortunate than I am,” said Ruiz.

Along with the heart for service Ruiz has, she also has plans to one day open up her own pharmacy and maybe a coffee shop in the future.

Ruiz said shared her gratitude for the honor of receiving the scholarship.

“I am really very thankful for it,” she said.

Zach and Kelly Pippin

Kelly Doremus Pippin is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She is a graduate of Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke, Virginia, Mississippi State University and Mississippi College. Her parents are Jeff and Terry Doremus, of Brookhaven. Kelly’s grandmother, Janie Cooley, was for many years an active member of the Willing Heart’s Circle.

Kelly’s husband, Zach Pippen, was awarded a scholarship as well. He is a graduate of Aubrey High School in Aubrey, Texas, Texas A&M University and Mississippi College. He is also a fourth-year medical student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and is from Flora. Kelly has grown up in Virginia because of her parents’ work, but both of her parents are Brookhaven natives.

Kelly said her husband is in the process of getting a degree in internal medicine and most likely will specialize in palliative care or hematology oncology. Kelly said she is more interested in emergency care and internal medicine and would like to work as an intensive care specialist in an ICU department or in an emergency room.

Zach and Kelly went to different colleges and were both rejected on their first application to medical school. They separately decided to get their masters degree and applied to Mississippi College. They met during their time in the graduate program and quickly became friends. Almost a year later, they began dating and later were both accepted into University of Mississippi Medical Center’s medical school together.

Kelly said of their scholarships, “The support of Brookhaven and King’s Daughters Medical Center means more coming from hometown and local people who love us; It makes it so much more special.”