SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Megan Vansant, daughter of Dana and Jackie Vansant of Columbiana and a chemistry major at the University of Alabama, was selected as one of ten 2006-2007 UA Rural Medical Scholars.

The pre-med and medical education program is for rural students who want to become rural primary care physicians.

Vansant, who graduated from Shelby County High School in 2003, will graduate in May from UA and enter the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine next summer.

Vansant is the recipient of numerous UA scholarships including the Elizabeth Coleman Memorial, Linly Heflin Memorial, President&8217;s Cabinet, Jerome and Dolly Newmark

and the Karl and Mildred Harrison.

She is employed as a resident advisor at Riverside University Housing and is active in campus and other organizations, including the program allocation committee for housing and residential communities, University of Alabama health and safety committee, and young adult committee for North American Baptist Women&8217;s Union.

She is a member of national and international honor societies including Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Society of Collegiate Scholars and Golden Key International.

Vansant&8217;s first encounter with the University of Alabama&8217;s rural programs was during her junior year of high school when she was selected to be a Rural Health Scholar. While at Alabama, Megan was elected as President of the Rural Health Student Association and received a scholarship from the Rural Alabama Health Alliance.

She also participated in the pre-med internship with the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine&8217;s Huntsville program.

She said her mother&8217;s illness sparked her interest in medicine while she was in elementary school.

Her relatives, Dr. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa and Dr. R. Bob Mullins in Bibb County, were also significant influences on her decision to become a Rural Medical Scholar.

Vansant wants to practice family medicine because it will allow her to form life-long relationships with her patients.

She said, &8220;Living in a small town has given me insight to many hardships that rural residents face, which will help me to relate to them as their family physician.&8221;