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Scholarship established in memory of
graduate student A scholarship has
been established by the family of Sima Rinku Maiti, a May 2004
Cum Laude graduate of the College's B.S.N. Program and student
in the Family Nurse Practitioner Track of the College’s master’s
program, who died of injuries sustained in an auto accident in
April 2007.
You are invited to join
Sima’s family, friends and colleagues in supporting the Sima
Rinku Maiti Memorial Scholarship, which will help create a
legacy of Sima’s life. The scholarship(s) will be awarded to
students who:
(A) have
demonstrated high academic excellence;(B) are
involved in service to the community;
(C) show
potential for leadership; and
(D) are
enrolled in one of the graduate programs of the College of
Nursing.
First preference can be
given to a student of Indian origin, but must not be limited to
this.
Please make your tax
deductible check to the UK College of Nursing. Note in the
check's memo area, "Sima Rinku Maiti Memorial Scholarship." Mail
your check to the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing,
Office of Development, 313 CON Bldg., Lexington, KY 40536-0232.
**
Between Sima's graduation from the B.S.N. Program
and beginning her master’s studies, she worked for a year in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
She served as a teaching assistant for several
faculty at the College, and was a school nurse at Cardinal
Valley Elementary School in Lexington. Principal Matt Perkins
said, “She was just one of those kinds of people who immediately
made a big impact with a lot of our kids.” Perkins was quoted in
a WKYT-TV interview on Thurs., April 26.
Sima was also doing a clinical rotation at
BaptistWorx, an occupational health and wellness clinic
affiliated with Lexington’s Central Baptist Hospital.
She wrote that her long-term career goals
included being “a key agent in the driving force for advancement
in nursing. I believe the nursing profession has tremendous
potential in making positive changes in our transient society.”
Rebecca Flynn, fellow graduate student and
friend, said, "Her joy was so uplifting. During times of high
anxiety such as studying for finals, testing for NCLEX, or
stress from work, she always wore a smile. I will never forget
the wonderful friendship we shared."
Associate Professor Sharon Lock, Sima’s
academic advisor, said, “Sima was so vivacious and full of life.
She was interested in pursuing a career in academia. Sima
approached her patients with professionalism and compassion. She
never knew a stranger. My heart goes out to Sima’s family.”
Dean Jane Marie Kirschling said the entire
College of Nursing faculty, staff, and students are saddened by
Sima’s death. She said, “Sima’s unwavering positive attitude,
her warm personality, and her deep sense of caring as a nurse
will always be remembered. We are grateful that we had the
opportunity to know her.”
Sima was a member of Sigma Theta Tau
International Nursing Honor Society, the American Nursing
Association, and the Kentucky Nursing Association. She received
several scholarships as an undergraduate student at UK. She was
also a member of the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society.
Sima also attended Transylvania University from
the fall of 1998 through May 2000.
At Lexington’s Lafayette High school, where
she graduated in 1998, Sima was a high academic achiever. She
was a Governor’s Scholar, a member of the Spanish Honor Society
, Mu Alpha Theta (national mathematics honor society for high
school and two-year colleges), the National Honor Society, and
the National Beta Club.
She is survived by her parents, Swapna and Dr.
Indu Maiti, and a brother, Richard Maiti. Dr. Maiti is a plant
molecular biologist with UK’s Kentucky Tobacco Research and
Development Center, where he manages the Plant Genetic
Engineering Services Group.
The family held a memorial service at the Bharatiya
Temple in Lexington. The College of Nursing held a memorial
service as well.
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