Williams Named Sharon L. Gess Memorial Scholarship Winner
August 9, 2021
Kamerian Williams, Sharon L. Gess Memorial Scholarship recipient
The Sharon L. Gess Memorial Scholarship was established by East Alabama Health in October 2020 as a way to honor the former EAMC director of the Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Gess, who worked at EAMC for 20 years, passed away on October 20, 2019. She was dedicated to her job and well-loved among her peers.
On July 22, East Alabama Health President and CEO Laura Grill presented the scholarship to its first recipient—Kamerian Williams. Joining Williams and Grill in the boardroom for the presentation were members of the Williams and Gess families, as well as East Alabama Health senior leaders, nursing supervisors and EMS leaders.
In her presentation, Grill described Gess as a leader who “never rested.” Grill said Gess was “continually climbing to learn and grow in her knowledge and in her profession. That’s just a testament to her integrity and her work ethic, and her passion for what she did and her loyalty to this organization.”
Williams started her career at EAMC in 2016 as a radiology clerk, later became a multi-care tech and is now a licensed paramedic and EMS supervisor.
In her application essay for the scholarship, Williams wrote “Sharon Gess is my main motivation. Sharon inspired me in more ways than one. When I started working as a paramedic, I quickly noticed how male dominant the field is. You are less likely to see a woman working in EMS, let alone a black woman.”
The Sharon L. Gess Memorial Scholarship is for African American females who will be attending nursing school. With the scholarship, up to $30,000 is paid directly to the college/university for tuition, books and fees. Williams will be attending Southern Union State Community College.
Williams, a native of Opelika and a 2014 graduate of Opelika High School, continued her praise of Gess in her application. “Seeing Sharon, a woman like me, excel in her career was life-changing for me. Not only did she lead, but she led with grace, humility, strength, and poise. When you see a woman that looks like you succeed the way she did, it ignites a fire that can’t be put out.”
Sharon L. Gess
Sharon L. Gess graduated from Notasulga High School and continued her education in the ROTC program at Tuskegee University. In 1994, Sharon graduated from Auburn University with a BA degree in psychology. Sharon received her Associate’s degree in nursing from Southern Union State Community College in 2000. In 2002, she earned her BS in nursing from Auburn University. She went on to earn her MBA from Auburn University Montgomery in 2012. Sharon was a member of the Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority.
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