Sara Worrill 2020 Perisie Scholarship Recipient
July 7, 2020, Williamsburg, Va. – In just a few weeks, Sara Worrill will pack her things and make the drive to Blacksburg, Virginia to embark upon the next phase on her journey towards becoming a doctor. This is possible, in part, thanks to the generosity of a local Williamsburg couple who chose to leave a generous bequest creating a medical school scholarship for students who intend to practice in the Williamsburg area. The Perisie Scholarship in Memory of James P. and H. Bihin Perisie will almost entirely cover the cost, and is renewable as long as the student maintains full-time status and is in good standing. The scholarship fund is managed by the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
Sara will be the first student ever to receive the Perisie Scholarship – and she is well-prepared. A 2019 graduate of Old Dominion University, Sara majored in Biochemistry and Psychology. In addition, she has worked as a volunteer scribe at Lackey Clinic, where she got to observe both general medicine and specialist doctors in action while taking notes during patient visits. Sara 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 (VCOM).
Sara Worrill and family at undergrad gradution from ODU
“My mom is actually a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) so I’ve known about osteopathic medicine my whole life,” said Sara. “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.”
Sara notes that although she did not grow up in Williamsburg, she loves the community and is looking forward to returning to practice here. 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” says Sara. “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.” Thanks to Jim and Bihin Perisie, Sara can achieve her goals and greater Williamsburg will have gained a compassionate, skilled provider.
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 here.