FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016
Contact: Sheanna M. Spence, Assistant Director, Alumni Affairs and Community Relations, School of Medicine, 304-691-1639

Family establishes school of medicine scholarship to honor late father

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – William J. Echols, M.D., dedicated his life’s work to the practice and advancement of medicine. 

Echols’ daughter, Sandy Echols Marshall, M.D., a 1989 graduate of the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and a practicing dermatologist, and her husband, Robert, have endowed a scholarship at the medical school in memory of her father and to continue his legacy through future medical students. 

“Bob and I have always been grateful to Dad for his encouragement, love and support,” said Sandy Marshall. “This scholarship program is a wonderful way to pay it forward and honor Dad and the profession he loved so much.”

A third-generation physician, Echols was a native of Richwood, West Virginia, in Nicholas County. He graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College and earned his medical degree from West Virginia University. After serving as a captain in the United States Air Force, Echols moved to Huntington in 1970, where he practiced medicine until his retirement in 2005. Echols passed away on June 27, 2016.

“It’s always special when a donor honors a parent through their giving,” said Linda S. Holmes, director of development and alumni affairs for the School of Medicine. “However, this scholarship is particularly special to the School of Medicine because it honors an individual who was not only a ‘founding father’ of Huntington Internal Medical Group (HIMG), but someone who was also instrumental in the creation and success of our medical school.”  

The scholarship, known as the William J. Echols, M.D., Memorial Scholarship, is designated for first-year medical students, with first preference given to students from Nicholas County. Second preference is given to students from Cabell County. The award is renewable for three additional years pending normal academic progress.

For more information on the scholarships or to make a gift to the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, please contact Linda Holmes at 304-691-1711 or go to www.jcesom.marshall.edu/alumni.

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Photo Caption:  Robert “Bob” Marshall and Sandy Echols Marshall, M.D. (right) pictured with Linda Holmes, director of development and alumni affairs at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

Date Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2016