Untitled - University of Kentucky

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:
• have demonstrated high academic excellence
• are involved in service to the community
• show potential for leadership, and
• 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.
“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. “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.
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.
Between Sima’s graduation from the B.S.N. Program and beginning
her master’s studies, she worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. She served as a teaching assistant
at the College and was a school nurse at Cardinal Valley Elementary
School in Lexington. In a WKYT-TV interview, 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.” 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 Dekker, 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,