During the annual Lighting of the Love Lights tree hosted by the Blue Ridge Medical Center Auxiliary Tuesday, December 3, former scholarship recipient and now Physician Assistant (PA) Natalie Hicks shared her heartfelt gratitude for the support she received on her journey to a medical career.
Hicks, who received three scholarships from the Auxiliary, credited the financial assistance with easing the burden on her family during her six years of education and training. “It has been a really huge help to me and my family,” she said, speaking at the ceremony alongside her family.
Hicks reflected on her introduction to the medical field in high school, when she shadowed PA Jessica Collins, who she described as “a big mentor to me.” She emphasized the critical role PAs play in rural healthcare. “I really feel like PAs have the ability to bridge the gap in healthcare...we’re able to go out into communities like our rural communities that don’t have necessarily a very high physician load like Atlanta would, for example,” she explained.
The Lighting of the Love Light tree ceremony concluded with attendees gathering outside as the tree was illuminated, its lights representing donations made in honor or memory of loved ones to support the Auxiliary Scholarship Fund and future scholarship recipients.