Mercer Ph.D. Student Selected for National Health Service Corps

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ATLANTA — Yvette Gates, a doctoral candidate in Mercer University’s Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision Program, has been selected to participate in the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ National Health Service Corps.

The initial award is for $60,000 over four years to work part time at an approved facility. Recipients may choose to work an additional four years for an additional $60,000. Gates is employed at the DeKalb Addiction Clinic in Decatur and lives in College Park. 

“Yvette is an outstanding student who has dedicated her life to the service of others,” said Dr. David Lane, professor and associate coordinator of doctoral studies. “She has a strong background of service in the church and in the field of counseling and plans to continue this work at the next level by earning her Ph.D. This award will help her tremendously to meet her life’s goal.”

Gates is originally from Pine Mountain and attended LaGrange College for her undergraduate studies. She earned a Master of Health Services at Central Michigan University and her Master of Divinity at Mercer’s James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology. Gates’ future career goals include teaching at a university while maintaining a part-time counseling practice.

“I’m very excited and honored that I was selected to be one of the awardees because it is helping me to pay back my student loans as well as giving me the opportunity to gain valuable experience through the program,” Gates said.

Gates learned of the opportunity to participate in the program through Dr. Kevin Freeman, visiting assistant professor of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Freeman was a previous recipient of the award.

The Human Services’ National Health Service Corps, which falls under the Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service, is targeted to address the nation’s shortage of health care providers through scholarships and loan repayment programs that help communities recruit and retain qualified health care professionals. The National Health Service Corps assists health professional shortage areas to meet their need for primary care by medical, dental and mental and behavioral health clinicians.

About Mercer University
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,200 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at three regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
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