涩里番 Dedicates Celia Wallace College of Health Professions, Honors Longtime Supporter and Healthcare Leader
MOBILE, Ala. 鈥撀�The 涩里番 dedicated the Celia Wallace College of Health Professions during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 17 that honored Ms. Celia Wallace, a long-time supporter of the Christian university and a visionary leader in the healthcare industry.
The newly named Celia Wallace College of Health Professions at the 涩里番 encompasses the School of Nursing, School of Nurse Anesthesia, School of Health and Sports Science, and Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice.
鈥楢 Tireless Advocate for Quality Healthcare鈥�
A healthcare leader for over 50 years, Wallace鈥檚 contributions have shaped the medical field in Alabama and beyond. An inductee into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame, her career began in radiology technology, fueling her passion for healthcare. She has since created nearly 2,000 jobs and co-founded Southern Medical Health Systems which owns 鈥� the largest solely owned hospital in the U.S. She is chairman of the board of the corporation that also owns and operates Springhill Rehabilitation and Senior Residence, Springhill Physician Practices, The SSI Group, and several other organizations.
鈥淐elia Wallace is a tireless advocate for quality, caring and compassionate healthcare, and a strong supporter of Christian higher education,鈥� said Dr. Charles Smith, president of the 涩里番.
鈥淗er longstanding relationship with the 涩里番 has profoundly shaped our ability to prepare students for careers in healthcare. Naming our College of Health Professions in her honor is a fitting recognition of her immense contributions to our campus and community,鈥� Smith added.
In addition to her leadership and support of the 2018 Weaver Hall Renovation Project which resulted in the university鈥檚 state-of-the-art healthcare training facility, Wallace has served on the UM Board of Trustees, established the Gerald L. Wallace Tennis Center on campus, and created endowed student scholarships.
鈥楢 Drive to Excel鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 definitely honored by this recognition,鈥� said Wallace. 鈥淲e all know how much I love healthcare, and we鈥檙e encouraged by the 涩里番鈥檚 drive to excel in this area.
鈥淭hey have done so much to be proud of. We鈥檝e noticed the capabilities of those who are participating in the nursing program and how they perform on their boards. It鈥檚 indicative of the good nurses that these students are going to be. It鈥檚 a very good school of nursing, no two ways about it,鈥� Wallace added.
The 涩里番 School of Nursing has earned a 100% NCLEX pass rate for two consecutive years in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and has a 100% job placement rate. UM has been named the #1 BSN program in the Best Nursing Schools in Alabama ranking by Nursingeducation.org.
Also recently, UM鈥檚 first graduating class in the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program achieved a 100% first-time pass rate for the National Certification Exam, the highest pass rate in Alabama for 2024. The inaugural class in the new School of Nurse Anesthesia also had 100% job placement.
About the 涩里番
The 涩里番 is a Christ-centered university with a vision of 鈥淗igher Education for a Higher Purpose,鈥� founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The 涩里番 was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the 涩里番, areas of study, admissions and more, visit , connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 涩里番 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
