Children’s of Mississippi promotes back-to-school health in Greenville
Published on Monday, August 4, 2025
By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu
Photos By: Jay Ferchaud/UMMC Communications
Children’s of Mississippi joined forces with organizations across the Delta on Friday to help give Greenville children a strong start to the school year.
The event, held at the Washington County Convention Center, is Children’s of Mississippi’s second health rally, following the inaugural event held at the Mississippi Children's Museum in 2024. The rally, organized by the Center for Children with Medical Complexity, offered wellness checks, vision and audiology exams, sports physicals, developmental information as well as safety tips and activities aimed at getting kids moving.
“This was a nice event,” said Shalonsky Murray, whose son Jusiah is heading to second grade this week. “We learned something at each table we visited.”
Connections to community resources, a bounce house and an obstacle course were also part of the day. Backpacks, school supplies and healthy lunches were available. About 400 backpacks with school supplies went to local students, and 100 bags of classroom supplies were provided to teachers.
“Children’s of Mississippi, in partnership with health and community organizations and programs in the Greenville area, was able to prepare hundreds of children for the new school year,” said Dr. Chris Collado, clinical and administrative services director. “Through this fun family event, we made sure that each child not only left with a backpack and school supplies but essential health information.”
Willie Ann Thomas represented one of many organizations on hand, the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Mississippi Delta Health Collaborative, which targets hypertension and high cholesterol.
“We want to teach families in the area about blood pressure and cholesterol and encourage lifestyle changes,” she said.
Iris Stacker, CEO of Delta Health System, said the back-to-school health rally was another opportunity for collaboration between Delta Health System and UMMC.
Collado said Stacker and her team helped in connecting Children’s of Mississippi to community and health organizations throughout the Delta.
“Delta Health System has been very helpful in partnering with other resources, so families were able to access information, school supplies and more at one convenient place and time.”
Volunteers from Children’s of Mississippi and the UMMC School of Nursing staffed care stations and provided mesh backpacks in an array of colors to attendees.
Dr. Nikki Cowan, Children’s of Mississippi nursing director, said interacting with the families taking part made the day memorable.
“I love the Delta,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind and so thankful.”
Dr. Alden Parsons, a Child Health Development Project fellow from Children’s of Mississippi’s Center for Advancement of Youth, was happy to represent CAY and the program, which began as Mississippi Thrive.
“Being part of CAY is amazing,” she said, “and then I get to help with great outreach programs like this.”
Greenville Public Schools welcome students to class Aug. 6.