Honor society president earns full ride at Methodist University

Beaufort County Community College congratulates Adriana DeMercurio on her full-tuition Wright Scholarship to Methodist University. DeMercurio will graduate from BCCC this May with an Associate in Arts and an Associates in Science. She is currently in the process of applying to the early acceptance physician’s assistant program at Methodist University. DeMercurio is the president of Gamma Beta Phi, BCCC’s honor society.

DeMercurio’s desire to work in healthcare came from her own experience with her health. Around 3 years ago, she started to experience chronic pain with migraines and joint pain. She went through extensive testing to determine the reason for her suffering. “I had to travel far, miss many days of school, and was once confined to a wheelchair just to go to school,” she said.

She saw the impact that healthcare providers had on her, so she decided to transition from patient to provider. “I want to be on the other side, answering patients’ questions instead of being the one asking for a solution,” she said. “I realize I was given chronic pain not to hurt me, but to be used as a tool to help others.”

The current COVID-19 pandemic has not deterred her from the medical field. “Just to know that one day I will be able to help people suffering or research cures to diseases like this seems like a bit of hope,” she said. “I have always had a passion to care for people, and to know that is where my path is heading right now is very exciting. Even if it seems like COVID-19 is a quite scary roadblock, it will not stop my passion to help in the medical field.”

Her passion for helping also lead DeMercurio to step up as a leader in Gamma Beta Phi, where she led the group in volunteer projects and to raise funds for the ARC of Beaufort County, an organization that meant a lot personally to many of the members.

“If it weren't for Gamma Beta Phi, I would not know how to lead such a large group of people to success,” she said. “This will be very helpful in the healthcare field as you have to work together to lead and take ideas to help your patient. To be able to have this opportunity to lead Gamma Beta Phi opened up great opportunities for me to lead with all of my future endeavors.”

New and returning students can sign up now for summer or fall classes. All summer classes will take place online and scholarships are available. BCCC offers a variety of programs for students interested in healthcare, including medical laboratory technology, medical office administration, emergency medical services, nurse aide, pharmacy technician, registered medical assistant, licensed practical nursing or associate degree nursing. Students can also follow DeMercurio’s path and earn an Associate in Science before transferring to a four-year university. BCCC thanks DeMercurio for her leadership and wishes her the best on her future endeavors.