WILLIAMSBURG — Thanks to a scholarship for female students who intend to practice in the greater Williamsburg area to attend medical school in Virginia or North Carolina, local student Stephonda Lewis can focus on her studies without the burden of student loans.
Lewis’s journey was inspired by personal and community experiences, according to the Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF). Her dream of becoming a doctor began when she witnessed her mother ring the bell, signifying she was cancer-free. The moment, made possible by the care of her doctors and the support of a community of strangers, solidified Lewis’s resolve to give back as a medical professional.
As her mother battled breast cancer and raised Lewis, her brother, and her cousin, the community raised money to help cover household and medical costs, support that deeply influenced her desire to serve the community that had given her family so much, according to the foundation.
Lewis’s journey through medical school will be supported by the Williamsburg Community Foundation. Thanks to a bequest, the Perisie Scholarship in Memory of James P. and H. Bihin Perisie has alleviated her financial burden, allowing her to focus fully on her medical education.
“When I found out I had won the scholarship, I was so shocked,” Lewis shared. “Knowing that I don’t have to worry about $300,000-$400,000 in student loans means I can focus on my career and future family without that burden. I am incredibly grateful, especially coming from a single-parent household.”
According to WCF, Lewis’s journey has had both challenges and rewards. She described her research in organic chemistry as particularly tough, yet her trip to Guatemala was profoundly eye-opening. “In America, we can become stuck in our bubble. Seeing how far people lived from healthcare facilities and how their financial situation impacts their health was enlightening.”
Her time volunteering at Riverside Hospital further cemented her commitment to medicine, the foundation noted.
“I encountered a patient that I’ll call John — I was able to help him with a seemingly simple thing, sponging his dry mouth every day before and after surgery — but that small thing was a big relief to him,” she explained. “After the surgery, he gave me a card thanking me for my kindness. This reinforced my decision to become a General Practitioner; I want to foster those personal doctor-patient interactions and establish long-term relationships with my patients.”
Lewis’ goals for medical school are clear.
“First, I want to find myself and connect with classmates and professors. It’s a rigorous process that requires patience and trying new ways of doing things,” she said. “Second, academically, I’m excited to dive deeply into learning about the body.”
Lewis said receiving the Perisie scholarship significantly impacts her ability to achieve these goals.
“Not having to worry about loans gives me the freedom to focus solely on school. It relieves so much stress for me. I moved here when I was seven and fell in love with this community. They were so supportive during my mom’s illness, and now I want to give back,” she explained.
For more information about the Williamsburg Community Foundation and its scholarships, visit williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.
