Leah Swope
When you face hard times in your life, the way others treat you can change your perspective and sometimes your life. Leah Swope, this year’s Peggy Bensman Award recipient, had her life change after her fifth child was born.
Swope, a McComb High School graduate, spent nearly four months in the NICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus when her daughter was born two months premature. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 1. “The incredible care my daughter received, along with the compassion and empathy shown to me during that difficult time in my life inspired me to return to school so I can offer the same level of compassion and care to my future patients and their families,” she said.
As one of the top awards at Owens, the Peggy Bensman Award is named after the college’s first Nursing department chairperson and presented to a graduate to recognize academic achievement, community and professional leadership, to encourage high professional standards, and to strengthen the ideas and image of nursing. “Knowing the hard work and sacrifices I had to make to go above and beyond in getting my degree as an RN has been acknowledged is a true honor,” said Swope.
After graduation, Swope will continue to work as a registered nurse. She plans to continue her education to become a certified nurse practitioner in either family medicine or pediatrics.
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Published December 2023