After returning to school as an adult student to complete her undergraduate degree, Rebecca McCormick ‘18 suffered a brain aneurism during her junior year. As she awoke from a two-week medically induced coma, she recalled how her normal life changed in an instant.
“I realized just how precious life is and that nothing should be taken for granted," she said. "I would have given anything to be able to type a paper or even an email while lying paralyzed in that hospital bed.”
McCormick spent the next 37 days in the hospital before being released to recover at home.
“To be perfectly honest, when I was fighting for my life and needed support the most, the entire University had my back," she said. "The staff at Pottsville CollegeTowne offered an unmatched level of support to help me pick up right where I had left off.”
McCormick, who graduated with highest honors, summa cum laude, gave back by volunteering her time as an EMT with Pine Grove Area Ambulance Association after securing her NREMT certification. She also received a promotion after completing her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science at Alvernia, working for Penn State Health Network as a Senior Registration Associate.
