Susan P. Hill Memorial Oncology Scholarship to Benefit Nursing Students
The gift agreement is dated the 14th of April 2019, the day that would have been their 35th wedding anniversary. To remember a lifetime of love and support and a career of caring, on that day Scott Hill (’83) made official the Susan P. Hill Memorial Oncology Scholarship.
The $25,000 gift will establish a fund to support outstanding nursing students interested in a career in oncology, the field that Susan (’86) dedicated 33 years to before passing away last fall after her own battle with a brain tumor.
“Her spirit was expressed through what she did in her career. She loved to take care of people. Her former patients and their families still write her letters to this day,” said Scott. 
Susan was born and raised in Cornelius, North Carolina and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNC Charlotte in 1986. It was there that she and Scott (College of Architecture Class of 1983) met. Susan was a freshman; Scott was a senior. They were married even before her sophomore year ended.
Susan Hill began her nursing career in 1986 at the oncology section of Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, selecting oncology because it was the area where she felt she could make the biggest impact. After 16 years at the hospital, she went on to outpatient practice with Lake Norman Hematology/Oncology Specialists.
Susan’s commitment to caretaking was known to spill beyond office hours, prompting off the clock follow-ups with patients and weekend visits.
“Nursing was not just a profession to her, but a way of life,” Scott said.
That essence was revealed as she administered treatments to her father and stood beside her parents as they fought and won his battle with Stage IV cancer. She also cared for Scott during a prolonged illness. Through the scholarship, he hopes to continue Susan’s legacy of professional, empathetic efforts in nursing oncology.
“I hope that my wife’s personality rubs off on the students that benefit from this scholarship. To Susan, it was a calling. I hope the students feel that way too.”
by: Wills Citty
Photos courtesy of Scott Hill (top to bottom): 1) Susan and Scott Hil; 2) Susan Hill during clinical rotations at UNC Charlotte 3) Susan administering treatments to her father