Staff report

Obici Hospital has bestowed its annual Health Career Scholarships on three college-bound students who plan to become a nurse, an ophthalmologist and a pharmacist.

Recipients of $500 scholarships are Sarah Forsythe, Gates County High School, North Carolina; Ria Desai, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy; and Erica Parsons, Sussex Central High School.

The recipients were chosen based on essays, letters of recommendation, grades and their activities during high school.

Forsythe, who plans to study nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University, wrote in her essay, &uot;Nursing will give me the opportunity and satisfaction of helping others. Nurses have the option of working with children, the elderly, in a private practice, or within the excitement of an emergency room … As long as there are sick people in the world, there will be a demand for nurses, and today’s technological demands need nurses smart enough and interested enough to embrace this career.&uot;

Forsythe is the daughter of Susan Forsythe of Suffolk and David Forsythe of Naples, Italy.

Desai will attend Duke University to study medicine. In her essay, she noted that her father and grandfather are physicians. &uot;Today, many of my fellow students gain familiarity with the medical profession by shadowing a physician. One could say that I have been shadowing a physician for the majority of my life. From the countless hours I have spent in my father’s private practice and accompanying him on his daily rounds in the hospital to the various technical pharmaceutical meetings I have patiently sat through, I have developed an extensive background in the field of medicine.&uot;

Desai is the daughter of Dr. Dirghayu V. and Tejal Desai of Chesapeake.

Parsons was dual enrolled in high school and at Richard Bland College of The College of William and Mary.

She wrote, &uot;I want to become a pharmacist because they are considered one of the leaders of a community. Everyone looks up to a pharmacist. They are extremely smart individuals and they have to maintain many skills in order to fill prescriptions. Knowing that one day I will be working in a pharmacy, and hopefully owning my own one day, makes me feel excited.&uot;

Parsons is the daughter of Mary Parsons and Jimmy Parsons, both of Waverly