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Transfer Student TJ McIntosh Shows Passion for the Medical Field

TJ McIntosh, an incoming biology major from the Wren community near Okolona. Photo Credit: Itawamba Community College

TJ McIntosh sees Mississippi College as the best place to pursue his dream to become a physician. There are plenty of medical opportunities in his native Mississippi with its vast healthcare needs.

His passion for medicine accelerated during his two years as a biology major at Itawamba Community College. And TJ’s love for the sciences only grew stronger due to his father’s battle with health issues. His dad, the late Torrance McIntosh, passed away about a month ago.

“We were always in a clinic or a hospital, so being around the different healthcare professionals made me begin to think about pursuing a career in medicine,” TJ says. “Seeing my mom (Sylvia McIntosh) be the best caregiver to my dad also played a huge role in me deciding to pursue a career in medicine.”

TJ McIntosh visited with Mississippi College faculty, toured the university’s cadaver laboratory and left convinced the Christian university offered so many benefits. An ICC friend transferring to Mississippi College first got the 20-year-old interested.

“I began researching what ±«Óãtvhad to offer and completely fell in love with the biology program,” he said. From the cadaver lab to quality classes at a medical school level, TJ was impressed. After three visits to the Baptist-affiliated university, his mind was made up.”

TJ recently was named the 2020 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholar and an ±«ÓãtvTrustee scholarship recipient to substantially reduce his college costs.

The 2018 Amory High graduate achieved numerous honors at Itawamba Community College’s Fulton campus. He played trombone in the ICC All American Band, served as vice president of the Student Government Association, and achieved excellent grades as a biology major.

McIntosh is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, served as a peer tutor in the MAN-UP program, and was named to the ICC Hall of Fame. The list of honors goes on for Mr. ICC. He received the ICC Overall Natural Science Division award at the two-year school in North Mississippi.

A resident of the Wren community near Okolona, TJ stays active in his church. He’s an usher and member of the youth department at Greater New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Nettleton.

Itawamba Community College President Jay Allen is one of TJ’s biggest admirers.

“Not only was TJ successful in his academics, but he poured himself into student leadership and engagement opportunities,” Dr. Allen said. “He worked tirelessly to make Itawamba Community College even better than the first day he walked onto the Fulton campus.”

President Allen sees a bright future ahead for the hard-working young man. “His impact will be long lasting at ICC as he continues to excel and expand his footprint throughout his life.”

With the fall semester to begin at Mississippi College in late August, President Blake Thompson and colleagues enthusiastically welcome TJ into the Blue & Gold family.

“TJ is an incredible young man,” says Angie Hardin, director of transfer recruitment.

Once he arrives on the Clinton campus, TJ will give up his trombone playing to focus on his studies. He plans to get involved in other activities at the 194-year-old university.

A Mississippi College education, he believes, will prepare him for medical school to become a primary care physician. McIntosh recently applied to the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program to help pay for medical school in a few years.

“My long-term goal is to be able to open a clinic in the place where I grew up to serve the people and families there,” TJ McIntosh said. “People in my community have to travel to neighboring towns to receive medical attention.”