St. Croix Regional Medical Center clinical psychologist Rebecca J. Watson, Ph.D. received the Region 8 TRIO Achieverís Award in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Oct. 17.

The TRIO Program was created to assist college students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds and who also are first generation students. Watson is the third oldest of nine children, and neither of her parents were college educated. ìI began college at the University of South Dakota at the age of 35,î said Watson. ìI completed the Honors Program and was granted a bachelorís of science degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and also obtained the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, University Scholar.î

After graduation, Watson was accepted into the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at the University of South Dakota. She obtained her masterís of arts degree in 1997, and her doctoral degree in 2002. While doing her graduate study, Watsonís son was killed in an automobile accident, an event that profoundly changed her life.

The theme of this TRIO conference was ìPerseverance in the Face of Adversity.î While in Salt Lake City, Watson completed a special presentation to TRIO Staff titled, ìResilience and Renewal for TRIO Staff.î She also met with the director of the U.S. Department of Education, Larry Oxendine, with whom she discussed budget cuts in education. ìI stressed the importance of education and pointed out that if we educate one, we educate many,î she said.

Watson joined the St. Croix Regional Medical Center medical staff in 2004.

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