Sara Worrill will embark on her journey toward becoming a physician with the intent of taking her knowledge back to Williamsburg to practice.
In just a few weeks she’ll pack her belongings and make the drive to Blacksburg.
Indeed, she’s not the only one who will venture off to college to pursue a career, but there’s a local significance here.
You see, Worrill’s journey is made possible – in part — thanks to the generosity of a Williamsburg couple who chose to leave a generous bequest creating a medical school scholarship for students who intend to practice in the Williamsburg area.
She’s the first student ever to receive the Perisie Scholarship in Memory of James P. and H. Bihin Perisie. It will almost entirely cover the cost, and is renewable as long as the student maintains full-time status and is in good standing.
Here’s more information about the scholarship.
The scholarship fund is managed by the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
A 2019 graduate of Old Dominion University, Worrill majored in Biochemistry and Psychology, according to a news release from the foundation.
She has worked as a volunteer scribe at Lackey Clinic, where she got to observe both general medicine and specialists in action while taking notes during patient visits.
Worrill is currently working as a medical assistant at M.D. Express Urgent Care. She will begin med school this fall at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“My mom is actually a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) so I’ve known about osteopathic medicine my whole life,” Worrill said. “I have always appreciated the holistic approach to medicine. After volunteering with Lackey Free Clinic, I realized that I have a passion for serving the medically underserved, so I connected with the school’s mission right away. I was also drawn to their international outreach program which has medical clinics in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Honduras.”
She did not grow up in Williamsburg but said she loves the community and is looking forward to returning to practice here.
Worrill said she hopes to do some rotations with Riverside Health System during her med school residency program.
“I plan on graduating in May of 2024, pursuing a career in primary care as a physician” she said. “I plan to use the knowledge, skills, and expertise gained during my time at VCOM to contribute to the medical community in the James City County area after graduation.”
A quick note from the foundation
Williamsburg Community Foundation is able to assist residents who would like to create a scholarship fund.
There are many options such as creating a one-time award of $1,000 or more for local students through the WJCC Scholarship Fund, or creating an endowed scholarship with specific criteria.
For more information, contact the foundation at 757-259-1660, or email office@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org. A complete list of the foundation’s scholarship opportunities can be found on the foundation’s website.
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