HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

This is a news release from Art of Healing

It was a beautiful evening for the South Central Health Care Foundation Art of Healing. More than 300 attended the annual art auction which included paintings, pottery, jewelry, iron work, mixed media, a hand carved knife, woodwork, and other types of art. Those attending enjoyed food, beverages, live music by area musician Charles Carter, a silent art auction and a live art auction. The proceeds from the event each year funds South Central Regional Medical Center's community health initiatives which include free health screenings, and other community health programs.

Shannon Penland, M.D., a medical oncologist at South Central Cancer Center helped develop the concept for the event more than seven years ago. The money raised goes to a great cause, and the event is first class, she said. Those who contribute art have a unique opportunity to touch the lives of others, because lives are saved as a result of the funds secured from the auction. She continued by saying, South Central has done an excellent job of educating the community about signs and symptoms of disease since they began their community health programs in 1989. Individuals recognize the symptoms in themselves, their spouse or family members and friends and seek help. Dr. Penland said that early intervention is key. The earlier we can find a condition and treat it, the better the outcome. She said that some conditions do not have symptoms, so it is important to get annual check-ups.

Becky Collins, Director of Communication and the South Central Health Care Foundation at South Central, said, I appreciate the support the hospital foundation has received throughout the years by area artists. Every year we have a outstanding collection of art which is donated for the event. Allison Evans, Community Relations Specialist who works in the Marketing and Business Development division at South Central has talked with artists all over the country, Collins said. She has done an excellent job of securing art pieces from new artists throughout our community, Mississippi and other states which has expanded our art collection this year.

She said she also appreciates the sponsors who host the Art of Healing. The sponsors of the 2015 Art of Healing are BancorpSouth, City of Laurel, Community Bank, ENT Surgical Services, First State-A National Banking Association, Floral Designs by Jill Windham, Gholson, Burson, Entrikin & Orr, P.A., Chancellor, Inc., Jefferson Medical Associates, John David Jefcoat -State Farm Insurance, Mississippi Power, Radiology Associates, P.A., The Chronicle, The Impact, The Laurel Leader-Call, Sanderson Farms, Trustmark, Wayne Farms, WDAM, and William F. Horne & Company. As a result of their support, the cost of the event is covered and all proceeds from the auction and ticket sales go directly to the foundation, she said. Collins provided special thanks to Sanderson Farms for providing their facility for the Art of Healing.They have a beautiful facility, and we appreciate them allowing us to use it each year.

An hour after the event began, Doug Higginbotham, President and CEO at South Central, welcomed those attending. He thanked members of the South Central Board of Trustees for their support, and also thanked the many who donated items and supported the event. He encouraged those in attendance to bid generously throughout the evening, because the proceeds were going to a worthwhile cause.

Each year at the Art of Healing, planners of the event invite someone to speak who has experienced a life changing event as a result of a health related illness. Linda Gavin, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at South Central Regional Medical Center, introduced the speakers for the 2015 event, Jim and Leslie Provost. Jim Provost has donated a hand carved knife to our auction each year, she said. Gavin said that the couple had touched numerous lives over the years as a result of their love for people and their love for life. Jim is an engineer and professional knife maker and Leslie has taught for years in the Jones County School System, and currently teaches at William Carey University where she is currently seeing her doctorate degree in education, she said.

Mrs. Provost made her way to the podium to address the crowd. Wow! What a great way to spend a Saturday night in Laurel MS, at the Art of Healing.Thank you for allowing us to be a special part of this event, she said. My husband, Jim Provost, was thrilled when he was asked to be the keynote speaker tonight. He is going to briefly share with you his experience about his stroke in 2000 due to a disease known as Fibro-Muscular Displacia and the results regarding his recovery due to South Central Regional Medical Center saving his life! It is a miracle and blessing that he is able to share with you and so many others that have endured diseases and incidents that have changed their lives and their family's lives dramatically. Before Jim speaks, we both would like to recognize a few people that supported and stood by our side during and after our difficult journey. If you are here, please raise your handSteve Hall, Janet and Dennis Farrell, Jay Fenton, Tony Stewart, John Crosby, Brad Pinkstaff, Neil Schrimpshire, RW Wilson, Mike Cowart, Anita Thames, Rex and Lynn Jones, Casey Provost, Sarah Wells and Catherine and Steven Nowicki. We also want to remember and cherish Dr. Ramesh Singh who was in the ER the night that Jim had the stroke and how he saved his life. Also, in loving memory of my grandmother, Margie Breazeale, our rock ,that kept us ALL strong and made sure we had plenty of good food to eat when we got home from the hospital. These people will always have a special place in our hearts. We love you all. Most of all, we give the credit to the Lord Jesus for giving Jim a second chance. Jim's favorite Bible verse is: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. And He did!" She then invited her husband to the podium.

Thank you so much for allowing me to speak and be a part of such a wonderful event in Laurel, The Art of Healing. I would like to say special thank you to our dear, special friend Linda Gavin, and Becky Collins, and Allison Evans for having me here, he began. Provost said he graduated from West Virginia University in l979 with a , and then went to work with Weirton Steel where he met R.W. Wilson who taught him the skill of knife making. He then moved to Fort Worth, Texas to work for General Dynamics and later accepted a position with Schlumberger Well Services. Schlumberger moved him to Jones County which is where he met his wife, Leslie Jones Provost, and began establishing roots in the area.

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Over 300 attend Art of Healing to raise money for South Central Health Care Foundation