Finding the perfect retirement gift can sometimes seem daunting, but for Franklin Harrison, an endowed scholarship in honor of his wife Linda was the only way to go. Linda worked as a certified registered nurse anesthetist for over 30 years, and when she retired, Franklin surprised her with the Linda Buchanan Harrison Nurse Anesthetist Scholarship. 

Linda was an early graduate of the nurse anesthesia program at Bay Medical Center School and has mentored many young anesthetists over her career. This endowed scholarship fund will be a lasting tribute to her vision and commitment to her profession.

“We are both very proud of the excellent education program at FSU PC and the contributions the institution makes to Bay County and Northwest Florida,” Harrison said. “The nurse anesthesia program has become a first-rate clinical and educational program for nurse anesthesia students.” 

The Harrisons credit the leadership of Dean Randy Hanna for the incredible growth of the college’s nationally accredited and first doctoral program. CRNAs are registered nurses with advanced degrees specializing in anesthesia, and as advanced medical professionals, graduates will have high-paying, rewarding careers. The employment of nurse anesthetists is projected to grow 31% by 2026 due to an increased demand for preventive care and healthcare services from an aging population.

The scholarship will support local FSU PC Nurse Anesthesia program students who plan to practice in Northwest Florida. 

“We hope it will contribute to the overall quality of healthcare in our area while giving students an economic boost to make their sacrifice affordable,” Harrison said. 

“Like Linda, many anesthesia students have families, and the decision to continue their education involves serious sacrifices. Hopefully, this scholarship will, for many years, help students navigate those difficult decisions.”

The Harrisons are lifelong residents of the area. Despite being loyal Gator fans, their two daughters and a son-in-law are graduates of FSU, and their grandson joined the university as a freshman Fall of 2022. 

FSU Panama City awarded the first scholarship to Codi Nauman who says she is grateful and honored to have received the award and that the Harrison family embodies “the very nature of charity” and service to our community.

Support the Linda Buchanan Harrison Nurse Anesthetist Scholarship.