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Trustmark contributes $500K for new pediatric expansion

Published on Thursday, October 8, 2020

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Trustmark presented $500,000 to the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi to help fund the new pediatric expansion at UMMC.

A Mississippi-based financial services company and longtime ally of children’s health, Trustmark unveiled the gift Aug. 3 in the lobby of the hospital before guests visited the expansion.

“Like many in our community, Trustmark views the Children’s Hospital of Mississippi as a beacon of hope and healing for families across our state,” said Jerry Host, Trustmark chief executive officer. “As a company who is committed to supporting health care in Mississippi, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Children’s of Mississippi and know our support will enable medical professionals to continue serving our children and families in our state.”

Smiling behind their masks about Trustmark's support of children's health care are, from left, Melanie Morgan, Trustmark senior vice president and director of corporate communications and marketing; Jerry Host, Trustmark chairman and CEO; Meredith Aldridge, Children's of Mississippi director of development; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs; Duane Dewey, Trustmark president and COO; and Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor and chair of pediatrics.

Smiling behind their masks about Trustmark's support of children's health care are, from left, Melanie Morgan, Trustmark senior vice president and director of corporate communications and marketing; Jerry Host, Trustmark chairman and CEO; Meredith Aldridge, Children's of Mississippi director of development; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs; Duane Dewey, Trustmark president and COO; and Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor and chair of pediatrics. 

Trustmark has a long history of supporting children’s health in Mississippi through financial resources and associate volunteerism. By hosting events such as the Trustmark Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Over the Edge with Friends, and many other fundraising events throughout the years, Trustmark has had first-hand experience in supporting the mission of the hospital. In addition, Trustmark is a Tournament Partner for the Sanderson Farms Championship, the state’s only PGA TOUR event, which has raised more than $7.6 million to support Children’s of Mississippi.

Joe Sanderson Jr., Sanderson Farms CEO and chairman of the board, who chairs the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi with his wife, Kathy, thanked Trustmark for the bank’s commitment to the state’s children and their families.

“By making this significant gift, Trustmark is showing its leadership and its values,” Sanderson said. “We are so grateful for their generosity and dedication to the health of our children, and we hope others in Mississippi’s business community will join with us to support Mississippi’s only children’s hospital and the exceptional care it provides.”