By Stephanie R. Jones
Special to The Tennessee Tribune from The Mississippi Link
JACKSON, MS — The occasion was to honor Dr. Aaron Shirley and his years of providing health services to the people of Mississippi. Yet it was Dr. Shirley who sat back as others were recognized for service they have provided the community in a vein that follows a path he trod many years ago.
A crowd stretched half the length of the Jackson Medical Mall Thursday evening, November 6, for the United Healthcare 2014 Community Reinvestment Awards to pay tribute to Shirley’s life and legacy.
The event was presented by the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation. Established in 1996, Shirley is its founder and chairman of the board.
Shirley’s eldest son, Kevin Shirley, summed up what has driven his father through the years. “What I’ve learned from my father is that service to others is not something you do for momentary recognition. Service, commitment to others, is a lifestyle,” Kevin Shirley said. He said his father told him, “You have
to learn to have fun serving others.”
Aaron Shirley’s commitment to serving the needs of other is cemented in Mississippi history.
He was the first African-American pediatrician at UMC and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to founding the Jackson Medical Mall, a first of its kind health facility, he also co-founded Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, which serves uninsured and low-income patients.
Thursday’s program was emceed by community advocate and restaurateur Jeff Good, president of Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group and the owner/ operator of three Jackson restaurants. In a video tribute to Shirley, his sister Ruth Shirley said, “He has done everything we ever dreamed he could do.”
Others spoke of his civil rights activism and humanitarianism.
Shirley’s son-in-law, Byron D’Andra Orey said, “He created a pathway that has set the bar extremely high. Not only is he a great doctor but he’s a great community activist as well.”
Shirley’s son Terrence Shirley said he was proud to have worked with his father and for him. His daughter Erin Shirley Orey said she was guided into health care because she was exposed to it early. Kevin Shirley said he is immensely grateful for his father’s guidance and support.
State Sen. John Horhn said people like Shirley just want to make things better for others, as he presented the Perry Robinson Community Leader Award to June Brooks, a social work professor at Jackson State University. Brooks was joined on the stage by Perry Robinson. Horhn presented the Keith Tonkel Community Leader Award to Ada Miller Robinson for her work with Junior Girl Scouts and Operation Shoestring. Robinson is also on the Medical Mall’s community advisory board.
Five students from Murrah High School received Dr. Aaron Shirley Scholarships. They were: Cameron R. Sanders, Nena W. Hawkins, Keith Thompson, Brittney N. Jackson and Daniel L. Kelly. The outstanding for-profit organization award went to Soul City Hospitality. Mississippi Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, Inc. was lauded as the outstanding non-profit organization. Executive Director Cynthia Goodloe Palmer and Frankye Adams Johnson, former chairman of the organization’s board, accepted the award.
Selected as outstanding individual for 2014 was Dr. James E. Keeton, who serves as the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The hospital has added several buildings during his tenure, initiated a heart study program and reestablished the liver transplant program after a 23-year hiatus. Keeton has been a champion of the Medical Mall. UMMC occupies 60 percent of the space in the mall and in 2010 signed a 20-year lease. Primus Wheeler, executive director of the Medical Mall Foundation, announced that the AMR building at the mall would be renamed for Keeton.
Shirley’s son Kevin accepted an award from UnitedHealthcare on behalf of his father. Jocelyn Chisholm Carter, of UnitedHeathcare, said Shirley was known for identifying needs and creating solutions. Shirley was presented two works of art, including a sculpture by Harold W. Miller of Brandon. Miller’s piece was framed by Elim’s Art Concepts, owned by Harold Hart and located in the Medical Mall.
Willie Clayton performed a musical tribute to Shirley that included the song “He Saw the Best in Me.”
Stephanie R. Jones can be reached at srjones13@gmail.com or (601) 260-4232.