LaKendra Mayo’s passion for medicine existed long before her cancer diagnosis, but her personal health journey has profoundly reshaped her understanding of the patient experience.
While graduating Magna Cum Laude from Piedmont Community College (PCC) with an associate in arts this month, Mayo was simultaneously enrolled as a pre-med track student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G). Maintaining a 3.6 GPA and consistently on the Dean’s List, she is double majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Justice. Her goal is to become an internal medicine physician specializing in endocrinology.
LaKendra believes that being a patient while studying to treat others gives her a unique perspective on the level of care and attention she plans to give her future patients.
“Everybody deserves the right to healthcare,” Mayo said. “Everybody deserves to be seen and heard.”
Managing a rigorous academic load at two institutions has been a cornerstone of her healing process. While balancing her health, she was invited into four prestigious honor societies at UNC-G, a testament to her academic standing across both campuses. Between oncology and lab appointments, she pours her energy into her coursework, proving that her focus remains firmly on her future.
She thrives on a well-planned life, ensuring every academic deadline and personal milestone is meticulously organized on her calendar.
“I like having good time management skills,” Mayo said. “Health has taught me that time is of the essence. ‘Me time’ is important, reading a book, cooking and entertaining family. You make time for the things you want.”
Mayo is grateful for her family, whose financial and emotional support has allowed her to focus entirely on her complex studies and honor society commitments without the added pressure of a full-time job.
She also remains deeply appreciative of the faculty at PCC for the supportive environment they provided throughout her dual-enrollment and health journey and has a special place in her heart for ‘Mrs. Sherrie.’
“Mrs. Sherrie gives encouragement, a listening ear and gentle pushes.,” Mayo said. “Anything I brought to her, she helped me fix, she’s my person at PCC.”
“As someone with serious health issues, I am grateful to be an alumnus of PCC,” Mayo said. “The staff here is kind and extremely helpful.”
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