THOMASVILLE – Colquitt Regional Medical Center and Thomas University will host a special ceremony on Tuesday to establish a new, endowed scholarship at Thomas University.

The medical center has donated $50,000 to the university for an endowment that will provide academic scholarships for nursing and clinical laboratory science professionals. The scholarship is named in honor of Madis M. Spires, RN, MSHA, vice president of Patient Services at Colquitt Regional. Spires, who has worked at CRMC since 1973, is past president of the Southwest Georgia Organization for Nurse Executives and former board member for the Georgia Organization for Nurse Executives.

In 1998, she was selected as Colquitt County’s Woman of the Year, and has served as president of the Kiwanis Club and member of the United Way. Spires holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University, and a Diploma of Nursing from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Thomas University operates a satellite nursing program at CRMC, offering an on-site RN-BSN degree program for registered nurses in the region. In addition to its program at CRMC, Thomas University also operates a satellite RN-BSN program at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, Fl., and will soon launch a similar program at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Thomas University also offers a Master of Science in Nursing, a dual MSN-MBA degree, graduate certificates in nursing education or administration, and a bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Joining Spires in speaking at the ceremony will be Colquitt Regional Medical Center President Jim Lowry, Colquitt County Hospital Authority Chairman Brooks Shelton, Thomas University President Gary Bonvillian, TU Nursing Division Chair Dr. Susan Otto and TU Vice President of Advancement Rick Munroe.

The ceremony will be held at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center Cafeteria, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

For more information, call Thomas University at (229) 227-6903.