Alumna of the Year

Allison McBride Schuler (’97) began her journey in nursing at Holmes Community College, and it has taken her from the classroom to leadership roles in health care while she has remained committed to serving the community she calls home.

A native of Durant and longtime resident of Kosciusko, Schuler attended Holmes, earning an associate degree in pre-nursing. During her time at Holmes, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and graduated with honors. She was also a member of The Holmes Connection!, an experience that she says helped shape the person and professional she would become.

“I knew I wanted to work in health care, and I felt like nursing would give me a broad opportunity,” Schuler said.

The lessons she learned at Holmes have continued to influence her throughout her career. Among the most valuable was a strong work ethic, something she continues to bring to every role she takes on.

Schuler continued her education at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, attending the School of Nursing in 1997 and 1998 and earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1999. She later returned to UMMC in 2013 to earn her Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Administration, graduating cum laude.

Her career began close to home when she accepted a registered nurse position at UMMC in Lexington. Over the course of 11 years, she gained experience in medical-surgical nursing, the emergency department along with medial quality and education.

Schuler is thankful for the opportunity her first nursing position provided as she transitioned from student life into a demanding professional career.

After her time at UMMC, Schuler continued building her career in health care, working at Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital and, since 2010, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Attala. She began at Baptist Attala as chief nursing officer(CNO) and, in September 2026, was named chief executive officer and chief nursing officer.

For Schuler, the nursing profession has provided opportunities to learn, grow and serve others every day.

“When I earned the CNO position in 2010, I finally felt like my experience had made and shaped me and reassured me that I was where I needed to be,” she said.

Another lesson from her Holmes days has remained with her throughout her career: “adapt and recover.” It was the motto used by her Holmes Connection group as they prepared for their performances, and Schuler has carried the philosophy into her professional life.

Schuler’s commitment to service extends beyond health care. She serves as president of the Kosciusko School District School Board and is a member of the advisory board for the health sciences program at the Kosciusko-Attala Career Tech Center. She also serves on the advisory board for the Holmes LPN and ADN nursing programs, allowing her to give back to the college that helped launch her own career.

Her involvement with Holmes’ nursing programs brings her journey full circle — from a pre-nursing student in the 1990s to a health care executive and community leader helping guide the next generation of nurses.

Schuler’s connection to Holmes is also a family tradition. Her husband, Howard Shea Schuler, is a 1998 Holmes alumnus and two of their children have attended. Together, they have three children: Kathryn Clair Lack (Cody), Reed and Jackson Schuler.

From the halls of Holmes to the leadership of a hospital, her career reflects a commitment to nursing, education, service and the communities she serves.

As she continues to lead in health care and give back through community and educational service, Schuler remains grateful for the foundation that began at Holmes— a foundation built on hard work, determination, accountability, adaptability and integrity.