Scholarship named in memory of CHP
graduate
A
recent graduate of the physician assistant program at the College of
Health Professions (CHP), Sushma Rao, passed away unexpectedly Sept. 1
from sudden cardiac arrest, six days after her graduation from MUSC. 
The family of
Sushma Rao, left, and CHP created a scholarship in her name. Standing
with Rao is her mother.Described as a passionate student, scholar, and individual by her fellow students and instructors, Rao's life was honored Nov. 17 during a memorial service at CHP. Several of her friends and family joined CHP faculty and administrators to share memories and celebrate her life.
Rao's father, Ganga, shared his memories of a quiet, intelligent and serious daughter, who in recent years had blossomed into a confident, assertive, outgoing young professional with a playful, engaging personality highlighted by an enduring compassion for the lives she touched. Ganga noted that he and his family have come to know his daughter more fully since her passing through the remembrances of those who miss her, and he expressed his gratitude to all those who had shared aspects of her personality that a parent often does not experience.
Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, Physician Assistant program director and physician assistant, said Rao and her family will always be considered part of the CHP family and that he hoped they would call on CHP often.
Physician assistant Arnie Metz, CHP Clinical Services assistant professor, offered his empathy and stressed the importance of family, both natural and extended, during a time of loss, and David Ward, Ph.D., CHP Student Affairs and Planning associate dean and professor, said he was inspired by the Rao family's great strength during such a difficult time.
Jack Thomas, Ed.D., Physical Therapy professor, recalled with humor a story about not remembering how to pronounce Rao's name after initially meeting her, and how she told him there was no excuse for mispronouncing her name when he could remember how to pronounce all kinds of anatomical terms. After that conversation, he said, he never mispronounced her name again.
As part of her memorial, CHP and the Rao family created the Sushma Rao Scholarship Fund as a resource for deserving students in need of financial support to pursue a professional career in the MUSC physician assistant program. The college also dedicated a brick in her honor that was added to the courtyard lining the entrance to CHP.
Rao was born Aug. 8, 1974 in Jersey City, N.J. She attended Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tenn.; earned her undergraduate degree from the East Tennessee State University at Johnson City; received her graduate degree from University of Texas at Tyler/Nacogdoches, Texas; and became an August graduate of the Physician Assistant Program at MUSC.
The following is a description of Rao created by family, friends and colleagues at CHP.
“Sushma had a passion and commitment for service. By nature, she was a quiet, charming and exceptional young girl. In her pursuit for service, she worked in various settings throughout her life, including serving senior-assisted living residents in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (She had a certified nursing assistant certificate.) She helped new immigrant students from India to settle down and made them feel at home in the United States during her studies at the University of Texas at the Tyler Campus; and later during clinical rotations in the physician assistant program, she always treated her patients with utmost love and care. She touched so many lives in her short life and left us with her presence forever in our hearts. We will miss her so much.”
Friday, Dec. 1, 2006
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