Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* Dr. James Copeland has been nominated for the American Medical Directors Association’s 2009 Medical Director of the Year award.

He was nominated by Quality Care of Waco, where he has served as medical director for 11 years. He is one of fewer than 50 physicians nominated nationwide for the award, which recognizes an individual whose vision, passion, leadership, knowledge and commitment take patient care to high levels of quality, excellence and innovation.

The award will be given in late March.

* Brenda Atchison, founder and CEO of the Platinum Career Coaching Group, has been named the CenTex African-American Chamber of Commerce.

A graduate of Sam Houston State University with a degree in criminal justice, Atchison has a master’s in education from Prairie View A&M University and a doctorate in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

She has more than 27 years in the fields of education and counseling.

* The Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo has been recognized by The Texas Association of Fairs and Events for excellence in promoting its annual event. The HOT Fair won in 18 categories and received plaques during marketing awards ceremonies at the annual Convention and Trade Show in Austin.

The fair and rodeo won eight first-place honors and five each in second and third places. The fair competed against other events that had from 100,001 to 500,000 attendees.

* Class Acts *

* Kaitlyn-Rose Brown, a seventh-grader at Rapoport Academy, was chosen to the Texas Music Educators Association All-Region 8 Choir during competition in Temple. The regional choir performed a concert at Midway Middle School in January.

* Justin Phillips, a 2002 graduate of Waco High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in leadership and management from Harding University in Searcy, Ark. His parents are Versie Ortiz and Little Joe Castillo of Waco.

* Katherine E. Michaels was on the dean’s list for the fall semester at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Michaels of Waco.

* Holly K. Tipton of Waco was named to the dean’s list at Texas State University in San Marcos for the fall semester.

* Pitching In *

* McLennan Community College’s corporate and professional training department has been awarded a $195,556 grant to train employees of Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc. The Skills Development Grant will provide management, safety and logistics training to the more than 300 supervisors and hourly employees who will be employed by the company this year.

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