BCTC Helps Single Mother Turn Medical School Dream into Reality

For Caci Hisle, starting college a low-income single parent was daunting, but the Kentucky Community and Technical College gave her flexibility, financial resources, and a pathway to accomplishing her goal of becoming a physician. 

“When KCTCS says, ‘start here and go anywhere,’ they mean just that,” said Caci. 

Now, a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Caci is crediting her time at Bluegrass Community and Technical College as playing a vital role in helping her accomplish her goals.

Earning nearly all her credits from BCTC before transferring to UK, Caci said KCTCS gave her a solid foundation which allotted her more time with her daughter, while connecting her with mentors who helped her get the exposure and experience needed to be accepted to medical school.

Now, Caci is a first-year internal medicine resident at UK Chandler, where she works in the University Health Services medicine wards and intensive care unit, and for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Looking back on the path from her first days at KCTCS to becoming a physician, Caci says the journey taught her to recognize her own resilience and to accept support from others along the way.

“You are capable beyond belief,” Caci said. “If you can see it in your mind, you can achieve it. Be open to accepting help and mentorship along the way, and don’t give up when it gets hard. In the end, it’s all worth it.”