12/01/2025
LEARNING, SERVICE, AND CONNECTION NOVEMBER, 2025
Honored to share that, earlier this month, I was invited to participate in the World Cultural Festival 2025 in Muddenhalli, India, celebrating the inauguration of a new 600-bed multi-specialty hospital funded entirely by corporate and charitable contributions and providing all services completely free of cost to every patient.
I was joined by Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center CEO, Lorie Till, and COO, Sylvester Thornton. On November 15, I had the privilege of addressing a 5,000-member audience at Sathya Sai Grama in the presence of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai and the Divine Will Foundation, which has generously committed a $1 million gift to our hospital for vital upgrades to our labor and delivery department.
Following my remarks, Lorie and I presented Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai with a joint resolution from our city and county governments, expressing our community’s deepest gratitude for the Foundation’s commitment to our hospital and the wellbeing of our citizens. The Sadguru’s foundations Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission feed more than 10 million school children each year, build and operate hospitals and clinics across India and other nations, and support the construction and operation of educational institutions. His example of selfless service is among the most inspiring I have ever witnessed, and we are deeply honored to be included in his mission.
We were also fortunate to travel with 14 members of the Coahoma Community College Choir, Choir Director Dr. Kelvin Towers, Assistant Director Zsa Davis, and four musicians. They delivered a stellar performance on November 15 and again on November 23, joining choirs from Austria and Nigeria and 200 additional musicians in a large cricket stadium on the campus grounds. For many students, this was their first trip outside the United States—and for some, their first time on an airplane. Thrust into a culture that was new to them and far outside their comfort zone, each student represented Coahoma Community College, our community, our state, and our nation with extraordinary dignity and grace. Their talent was undeniable, but they truly distinguished themselves through their kindness, humility, and impeccable manners. I have never been prouder of a group of students or more grateful to call them my fellow citizens. They even offered an impromptu performance in the pediatric ward of the new hospital.
Finally, Lorie, Sylvester, and I met with members of the executive and field teams of TataMD, an extraordinary division of Tata focused on expanding access to high-quality healthcare for both rural and urban populations through innovation and efficiency. We went to learn how they are achieving what we aspire to in our own region: building a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible healthcare system for our citizens. Deep thanks to Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO, TataMD; Dr. V. Ravi, Head of Clinical Excellence; Dr. Amandeep Singh, Clinical Excellence; and their teams for their gracious hospitality and willingness to so generously share the fruits of their work.
This journey strengthened existing partnerships, created new ones, and reminded us what is possible when compassion, innovation, and collaboration come together in service to humanity. I am grateful for this journey of learning, service, and connection---from Mississippi to India, from the world’s oldest to democracy to the world’s largest.
