Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation Awards Scholarship to Cox Mill Graduate
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2020) — The Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation, whose mission is to provide financial and community support for Atrium Health Cabarrus, is excited to announce Harshita Gudipudi as the recipient of the 2020 Ann Cannon Spirit of Volunteerism Scholarship Award. Gudipudi graduated from Cox Mill High School with a 4.54 GPA and is now attending UNC Chapel Hill on a pre-med track.
Gudipudi volunteered for two years at Atrium Health Cabarrus, including in the surgery center. She shadowed surgeons and witnessed the daily processes of taking care of patients in and out of surgery. It was there she discovered her passion for helping others and determined her goal was to become a neurosurgeon.
“This scholarship is one of the biggest motivators I could have ever gotten,” said a grateful Gudipudi. “Due to my interest in neuroscience and desire to go on the pre-med track, I have a long and strenuous educational path ahead of me. Therefore, knowing that such genuine people like Mr. and Mrs. Cannon believe in me and are willing to support me throughout this process makes me feel incredible. I am so thankful for their willingness to help get past the first step of my medical journey.”
Gudipudi accepted the scholarship from Ann and Bill Cannon at an afternoon social at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis on August 10, where social distancing was practiced. Also in attendance for the award presentation were Chris Bowe, North Market President for Atrium Health; Katherine Barrier, Director of Volunteer Services at Atrium Health Cabarrus; Charlie Sastoque, President of Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation; Tri Tang, VP of Administration for Atrium Health Cabarrus as well as Gudipudi’s parents. She also received a motivational video from Dr. Katherine Van Poppel, Pediatric Neurologist at Atrium Health Cabarrus who was unable to be in attendance.
“It is truly an honor to gift this scholarship each year to a worthy young individual who understands the value of volunteering and is so dedicated to helping others,” said Ann Cannon. “Harshita has exemplified the true meaning of volunteerism, community and leadership. Her passion for the medical field was based on personal family experiences and motivated her to seek volunteering at our hospital. I know her path to neurosurgery will be long and arduous, which is why this scholarship means so much to us all.”
The Ann Cannon Spirit of Volunteerism Scholarship Award was established in 2004 and is endowed through the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation as a gift from Mr. William (Bill) Cannon in honor of his wife, Mrs. Ann Cannon. Mr. Cannon endowed this award as recognition of his wife’s volunteer contributions as a member and past chair of the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation and her passion for Atrium Health Cabarrus. The award is used to recognize and support volunteer service among members of the Junior Volunteer Program. The recipients will use this scholarship to assist them as they further their educational pursuits following high school graduation.
