The Finger Lakes Health Foundation presented Molly Pullen, a member of the Penn Yan Academy Class of 2021, with the Kitty Wigsten Memorial Scholarship.
The one-year scholarship is awarded to a graduating Penn Yan senior who plans to pursue career studies in healthcare services. The scholarship is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Health Foundation and is funded through gifts given in memory of Katherine “Kitty” Wigsten who served Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years as a nurse, manager and administrative team member.
Pullen has been accepted into the BSN program at Nazareth College, in Rochester, where she will play tennis, with long term plans to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner. She knew at an early age that she wanted to work in healthcare and her interest was cemented when she shadowed a nurse practitioner of dermatology, a few summers ago. Pullen also participated in the New Vision Medical Careers Program and all of these experiences led her to believe that, “Nurses are truly and unequivocally compassionate heroes.”
During her high school career, Pullen was on the Superior Honor Roll; a member of the World Languages Honor Society; played varsity tennis; and showed her leadership skills as Varsity Tennis Captain, Orientation Leader, and Tour Guide and Presenter, Biomedical Sciences Exploration Day, from 2018-2021.
Pullen is very active in the community, as a participant in the Linus Project, Operation Merry Christmas – Geneva Center of Concern, and as a bell ringer for the Yates County Christmas Program. Most notably, in 2013, she co-founded “The Knit Wits,” with her twin sister, an organization designed to help the less fortunate by knitting winter hats, mittens and scarves. Items are donated or sold, with proceeds benefiting local organizations including Thrive to Survive and Finger Lakes Oncology, Ontario County Humane Society, Mercy Flight, Milly’s Pantry and Keuka Comfort Care Home.
The Finger Lakes Health Foundation encourages area residents and organizations to support the Kitty Wigsten Memorial Scholarship through their financial gifts so the award can be continued into the future. To make a contribution to the scholarship, send a check, payable to the Finger Lakes Health Foundation, to the Foundation Office, 196 North Street, Geneva, NY, 14456. Note that the gift is for the Kitty Wigsten Memorial Scholarship on the check. Or, donate online at: https://www.flhealth.org/make-a-donation/. Please direct questions to: (315) 787-4050.
Photo Cutline: Molly Pullen, Penn Yan Class of 2021, is the recipient of the Kitty Wigsten Memorial Scholarship.