Four incoming Piedmont Community College (PCC) Nursing students were awarded scholarships to fully fund their education, provide mentorship throughout their time at the College, and offer immediate employment upon certification.
PCC partnered with Person Memorial Hospital (PMH), a Duke LifePoint Hospital, to develop the scholarship opportunity and lead these four students to fulfill their career goal, becoming a Registered Nurse.
Lindsay Atkinson, Chief Nursing Officer at PMH, was instrumental in the creation of the scholarship as she felt strongly about giving students additional benefits to enhance their education. As part of the scholarship, students will not only have the support of PCC faculty and staff but will also have support from PMH employees and programs. The hospital staff will provide mentors, tutoring options, and engagement opportunities to communicate needs, questions, progress, and growth.
“Part of the advantage of working at a community hospital is that we are family, not just a number,” Atkinson said. “This is a unique working environment. We know it takes all of us together to take care of patients.”
The four recipients of the scholarship are:
- Katherine Wallace – 2021 graduate from Bartlett Yancey Senior High School, and PCC Career and College Promise (CCP) participant, completing 36 college credits while in high school.
- Bianca Lee – 2011 graduate from Needleham Broughton High School in Raleigh, who has worked in the healthcare field for the past 12 years.
- Kailey Mangum – 2020 graduate from Person High School who completed 27 college credits during her senior year in high school through PCC’s CCP Program.
- Amanda Carey – A non-traditional student, who, upon completing the program, will be able to service her hometown community, a place that gave her many happy memories.
During a ceremony recognizing the students, PCC President Dr. Pamela Senegal addressed the scholarship recipients, “You could not be entering a more noble profession and we’re so proud that you’ve chosen PCC to help reach your goal. This partnership is designed to ensure your success by offering a great network of people through the mentorship and other program elements.”
PMH is fully funding the program expenses for these four students and assigning them a mentor from the hospital that will guide and support them on their journey. In turn, the students will agree to work for PMH for two years after they graduate and earn their certification.
David Ziolkowski, CEO, Person Memorial Hospital, commented on how the Hospital is starting a training program that will have a lasting impact. “Two leading organizations came together in collaboration to put a program together that will build a brighter future for our community.”
To the students, Ziolkowski added, “Thank you for trusting us and PCC. Your future is very bright.”
The scholarship recipients are excited to begin the Nursing program at PCC and explained how grateful they are for this opportunity, and how they’re looking forward to making positive change in the community.
“I applied for this scholarship to start my journey to be part of a change for the next generation of healthcare professionals,“ Lee said. This scholarship will assist me with the resources needed to guide not only the community but other healthcare professionals as well.”
Carey explained, “As a single mother of four children, this scholarship is the only possible way for me to obtain a career that would allow me to provide the quality of life that I want for my children and myself.”
Senegal, who is also a member of the Hospital’s Board of Directors, expressed her delight of this partnership stating, “Together Piedmont Community College and Person Memorial Hospital will expand our contribution to supply our community with outstanding nurses.”
To learn more about the PMH Nursing Scholarship, contact the PCC Foundation Office at (336) 599-1181 ext. 2109. The PCC Foundation Office also has information on other scholarships and grants available to current and future curriculum and short-term students including the Pacer Promise Scholarship, Project Skill-Up and more.
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