An Albemarle native has been awarded the most prestigious scholarship available at East Carolina Universitys Brody School of Medicine.

Lindsey Burleson is one of three students in the medical schools Class of 2021 chosen for the Brody Scholar award, valued at approximately $112,000.

She will receive four years of medical school tuition, living expenses and the opportunity to design her own summer enrichment program that can include travel abroad. The award will also support community service projects she may undertake while in medical school.

Burleson is a 2016 graduate of Western Carolina University Honors College, where she earned a degree in chemistry. She was a student athlete on the WCU Womens Basketball team for four years and a recipient of the Curtis and Enid Meltzer Endowed Scholarship.

Burleson was involved in multiple WCU medical research efforts and volunteered at Blue Ridge Health (formally known as Jackson County Good Samaritan Clinic) throughout her undergraduate education and subsequent gap year.

Burleson has known she wanted to work in healthcare since she was young. During her time at WCU she was given opportunities to explore the clinical and laboratory research side of medicine and credits the experience for helping her make the decision to attend medical school.

She plans to become involved in more research with clinical implications during her time at Brody.

In addition to her love for research, Burleson has another focus when it comes to healthcare.

I am particularly passionate about providing healthcare to women in underserved populations, said Burleson. I someday hope to be able to dedicate a portion of my career to providing free care for women and educating populations on healthcare disparities in rural communities.

Being named a Brody Scholar is a huge honor and I feel blessed to have the support of the Brody Family and their commitment to the students and future physicians of North Carolina, Burleson added. As someone who has attended North Carolina public schools for my entire life, I am consistently blown away and inspired by the willingness of North Carolina residents to educate and mentor their students.

In its 35th year, the Brody Scholars program honors J.S. Sammy Brody. He and his brother, Leo, were among the earliest supporters of medical education in eastern North Carolina. The legacy continues through the dedicated efforts of Hyman Brody of Greenville and David Brody of Kinston. Subsequent gifts from the Brody family have enabled the medical school to educate new physicians, conduct important research and improve health care in eastern North Carolina.

Since the program began in 1983, 137 students have received scholarships. About 70 percent of Brody Scholars remain in North Carolina to practice, and the majority of those stay in eastern North Carolina.

In her spare time, Burleson enjoys cooking and baking and stays active by running and continuing to play basketball.

She is the daughter of Jeff and Kathy Burleson and a graduate of North Stanly High School.

B. J. Drye is editor of The Stanly News & Press. Contact him at (704) 982-2121 ext. 25, bj@stanlnewspress.com or PO Box 488, Albemarle, NC 28002.

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Albemarle native earns top medical school scholarship - Stanly News & Press