Senate Concurrent Resolution 590

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OF DR. MYRNA ALEXANDER NICKENS FOR HER RECEIPT OF THE 2008 MISSISSIPPI MAJESTY AWARD--CELEBRATING AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIVING LEGENDS.

WHEREAS, Dr. Myrna Alexander Nickens, M.D., F.A.C.C., is the first interventional cardiologist in Mississippi. She was honored by Novia Communications by the presentation of a "2008 Mississippi Majesty Award--Celebrating African-American Living Legends" on February 28, 2008, for her years of commitment to heart health and her outstanding civic activities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander Nickens is the oldest of three children. Her parents Woodrow and Mary Alexander have one son and two daughters, both daughters are physicians. Dr. Alexander Nickens attended high school at Biloxi High School in Biloxi, Mississippi. She completed her undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi, where she was President of the Pre-Health Club. She graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. degree in Chemistry; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander Nickens received her Medical Doctorate Degree in 1982 from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She was accepted to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where she completed her Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine. Dr. Alexander Nickens completed her Cardiology Fellowship and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital; and

WHEREAS, after completing her Fellowship in Interventional Cardiology, she accepted a position in education with the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. From 1993-1995 she served as Associate Director of the Cardiac Inpatient Unit, Instructor of Medical Student Clinical Cardiology, Instructor of Residents and Interns in Clinical Cardiology and Interventional/Clinical Cardiologist Academic Instructor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander Nickens has an extensive list of accomplishments as a clinician, medical educator, clinical researcher, lecturer and published author. She is active in a number of professional societies and organizations including American Medical Association, American College of Cardiology, Association of Black Cardiologists, and National Medical Association where she served as President of the Mississippi State Chapter. Presently Dr. Alexander Nickens is the Chairperson of Cardiovascular Services at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital. She recently received an honor from the American Heart Association for being the first female Interventional Cardiologist in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander Nickens joined Jackson Cardiology Associates in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1995 where she is currently in private practice with four other cardiologists. She is an active staff physician at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital and Central Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Alexander Nickens' special interests in medicine are cardiovascular disease in women and adult congenital heart disease; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander Nickens is married to Jerry Nickens and they have one son; and

WHEREAS, her community service includes active membership in New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, the Tougaloo College National Alumni Association, greater Detroit Tougaloo College Alumni Chapter, and the Detroit Chapter of the Inter-Alumni United Negro College Fund; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nickens was inspired to become a cardiologist by her grandmother, a teacher who died of heart disease at a relatively early age, and it is with pride that we recognize the contributions of this Mississippi citizen, who is an effective enemy of heart disease and a strong civic supporter of her community and state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the career and community service of Dr. Myrna Alexander Nickens for her receipt of the 2008 Mississippi Majesty Award--Celebrating African-American Living Legends, and extend to her our best wishes in her future professional and community endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Myrna Nickens, be forwarded to the Mississippi Chapter of the American Heart Association and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.