When George Byrd first joined the U.S. Air Force, he didn’t have a clear plan for his future. But during his time serving as a medical corpsman, Byrd discovered a calling that would guide the rest of his life: nursing.
“I went into the Air Force because I had no idea what I wanted to do,” Byrd recalled. “I spent four years working in the hospital and decided I liked it. When I got out, I used my GI Bill to go back to school and get my nursing degree.”
That decision led Byrd to Troy University, where he graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. From there, he went on to spend nearly four decades in emergency nursing at Baptist South and Baptist East in Montgomery, serving as a staff nurse, charge nurse, and assistant nurse manager.
Now retired, Byrd is giving back to his alma mater through the establishment of the George W. Byrd Nursing Scholarship, a fund created to support students in Troy University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
The endowment begins with an initial investment and Byrd has arranged for the fund to grow through his life insurance policy, ensuring the scholarship will continue to benefit Troy nursing students for generations to come.
“My hope is that this scholarship makes things a little easier for nursing students,” Byrd said. “Nursing is a demanding field, and any bit of support can help.”
The George W. Byrd Nursing Scholarship will be awarded to junior or senior nursing students who are registered and in good standing within Troy University’s BSN program on the Troy campus. Preference will be given to students involved in nursing student organizations such as Alpha Psi Nu, Sigma Theta Tau, the Student Nursing Association, or the Nurses Christian Fellowship. Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are encouraged to attend the annual Scholarship Donor and Recipient Reception.
Dr. Wade Forehand expresses his gratitude for scholarships like this one.
“Scholarships like the George W. Byrd Nursing Scholarship not only honor the generosity and legacy of Troy BSN nurses but also create lasting opportunities for future generations of TROY nurses.” Dr. Forehand says. “This endowment represents an investment in TROY nursing excellence and the advancement of the nursing profession.”
Byrd’s passion for nursing extends beyond the bedside. He has long advocated for advancing education within the field, emphasizing the value of BSN-prepared nurses.
“I think the college experience and the broader education you gain in a BSN program helps round you out — not just as a nurse, but as a person and a professional,” Byrd said. “Once you graduate, don’t stop learning. You’re going to be learning throughout your entire career.”
In addition to his scholarship at TROY, Byrd has also established an endowment with Baptist Health in Montgomery to fund continuing education grants for emergency and critical care nurses.
After a career spent navigating the organized chaos of emergency medicine, Byrd’s hope is that his legacy will help prepare others to serve with the same compassion and dedication that guided his own journey.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “This is my way of giving back, to help others have that same chance.”
