PCC radiography student Jennifer Letchworth has been awarded the 2018 Karen Lee Memorial Scholarship.
A Kinston resident, Letchworth has a 4.0 GPA as she prepares to enter the second year of the radiography program this fall. The $1,000 she received through the Lee Scholarship will help offset the cost of her PCC educational expenses.
In an essay required as part of the scholarship application process, Letchworth wrote that she is determined, empathetic and patient. Those three qualities, she says, will benefit her greatly in her career as a radiographer.
Early in her radiography studies, Letchworth experienced a medical emergency that required surgery, an extended hospital stay, and a lengthy recovery. She had to put her academic pursuits on hold to focus on getting well.
But instead of viewing the situation as a setback, Letchworth considers it as a valuable learning opportunity. She explained that while clinical training has given her practice with providing patient care, her experience as a patient helped her develop patience and gain a new perspective.
“As a patient, you have many concerns, fears and uncertainties,” she said. “I feel experiencing this (medical) situation has allowed me to understand all the different feelings a patient may struggle with and empathize with them on a deeper level.”
Letchworth is only the second student to receive the Lee Scholarship, which was established with the PCC Foundation by Lee’s family and friends in 2016, after the beloved radiography program director passed away unexpectedly at age 53.
A 1982 graduate of Pitt’s radiography program, Lee taught at her alma mater for 26 years, after working eight years in the Radiography Department at Pitt County Memorial Hospital (now Vidant Medical Center). Described by former students as “exceedingly caring, encouraging, considerate and professional,” she is remembered for making every effort to provide them with the tools they needed for academic and professional success.