Drury forms financial partnership with Ferrell-Duncan

Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Inc. has committed $150,000 over five years to Drury University’s pre-med program.

The move adds a physician recruitment channel for the CoxHealth clinic and would create three new programs for Drury undergraduates studying for careers in the medical field, according to a news release.

Formalized by the CoxHealth Board of Directors yesterday, the agreement provides $30,000 a year for three initiatives, dubbed Loren Broaddus Medical Service Scholars, Thomas Ferrell Medical Relief Travel Grants and Douglas Duncan Research Experience in the Natural Sciences Fellowship.

Loren Broaddus Medical Service Scholars
Under this program, the university will build upon its Drury Health Services Corps, which allows pre-med students to volunteer at Jordan Valley Community Health Center, according to the release.

With the additional funding, students will have access to work at other medical facilities following their time at Jordan Valley.

Thomas Ferrell Medical Relief Travel Grants
This initiative will allow students to apply for funding related to travel for medical relief programs, according to the release.

Through Drury’s program, students work with medical professionals to provide health care to underserved populations.

Douglas Duncan Research Experience in the Natural Sciences Fellowship
Through this summer program, students can gain funding to conduct biomedical research under the direction of natural sciences faculty, according to the release.

Additionally, Drury and Ferrell-Duncan agreed to place one of the clinic’s practicing physicians in a fellowship position in the university’s biology department. The physician would teach an annual course in clinical medicine.

“CoxHealth and Ferrell-Duncan Clinic are honored to establish this scholarship plan with the faculty, staff and students of Drury University,” CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards said in the release. "This legacy scholarship is a key component as these three institutions work cooperatively to prepare future health care professionals who will one day add their skills and talents to the Springfield-area medical community.”

Drury sends around 20 students to medical school and another 20 to health professional schools each year, according to the release.