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Stephen Morrison, M.D., and his wife, Debra Morrison
Morrisons Establish Emergency Fund for College of Health Professions Students
| Forty-one years after Stephen Morrison, M.D., first met surgical nurse Debra Bellisle in a UAMS operating room, the success the couple has had since is benefiting at-risk students in the College of Health Professions.
Supported by the generosity of the couple, the Emergency and Student Success Fund assists the college’s students who experience unexpected or emergency needs outside of routine college expenses. Students who experience financial hardships or unexpected emergencies can seek the help they need to continue working toward completing their certificate or degree.
Morrison was training in his general surgery and cardiac surgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) when they met. Belisle was a registered nurse and 1981 graduate of the College of Nursing, working as a surgical nurse in the OR. Four years after their first meeting, they married.
The Morrisons’ career successes, along with what Stephen Morrison called some good business and investment decisions, has enabled the couple to consider how to best give back.
“We asked some people what was a number that would make a difference to them as to whether they went to college or stayed in college. We were shocked at how little it was. Some said $500. Even $500 can be a life-changing event for them. In the education world, that’s not very much money. That was a big surprise,” he said.
The college’s dean will select the recipients of assistance from the fund on a case-by-case basis.
Debra Morrison worked her way through the College of Nursing with modest help from one family member. Her husband described it as a “less than ideal situation.”
Debra Morrison said as a non-traditional student, when she started her training to become a nurse, she was grateful for her work/life experience, and that it can be equally valuable to other returning students.
“When I attended college years after high school, I knew I needed a more fulfilling ‘work’ life and wanted to feel pride in what I did for a living,” she said. “Simply stated, my aim was to obtain the education required to support myself financially without depending on others. Becoming a registered nurse practitioner was my goal. In my opinion, providing the Emergency and Student Fund for the College of Health Professions to help students in a time of crisis is money well spent.”
Stephen Morrison said the couple thought more allied health professions students would be non-traditional students.
“We think there are more out there like Debbie, and we want to help them,” he said.
A simple conversation with two community college students studying to become licensed practical nurses is what led him to that conclusion. He said they looked to be around 30 years old, and he asked them how many students had started the program with them and how many had finished. The answers respectively were 52 and 49.
“That emphasized to me that they have skin in the game, and they understand the importance of an education better than many kids. These kids paying their own way understand the value,” Morrison said.
He said the couple intends to provide more financial help to students in the future, possibly by supporting student scholarships.