Grants awarded to Niagara students, health workers
Hard work has quite literally paid off for three students striving to pursue health-related post-secondary studies.
OneFoundation for Niagara Health System honoured those aspiring healthcare students on Thursday by presenting them with scholarships at its annual awards celebration, held at Niagara Health’s St. Catharines hospital on Fourth Avenue.
In total, five donor-funded scholarships were presented to the student recipients, as well as 12 members of Niagara Health staff who aspire to advance in their chosen fields.
Malcolm Hartman was chosen to receive the Dr. Lazlo and Maria Kuharik Memorial Scholarship, which provides a student pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree as much as $6,000 per year for up to four consecutive years.
Jordan Gallant received the Niagara Health - Welland Hospital Site Tuition Scholarship of $1,000 annually for up to four years to help with her postsecondary studies.
Karling Luciani took home the $500 Dr. Ken Hope Memorial Award.
Stephanie Scott, a registered nurse at the Greater Niagara General Pre-op Clinic, received the Helen (Martingale) Ferguson Education Award of $500 to help achieve aspirations of achieving a degree in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Family Supports & Community Practice.
As well, 12 Niagara Health workers received The Joe and Anita Robertson Education Fund, which supports hospital staff members who choose to continue their education at Brock University. The funds cover course registration costs and are available to any hospital worker who wishes to upgrade their skills.
Luciano said she is “very humbled but also very appreciative for the award.”
“I think it’s such an amazing opportunity they’re giving to give youth and students, to give them just a little extra help to pursue their dreams.”
Gallant says receiving the award feels “absolutely amazing.”
She says she’s planning on attending Brock University for nursing and that she’s always known she wanted to go into a health related field.
“The Niagara community is incredibly grateful, both in terms of giving and of their time. We’re very grateful to have that support and we look forward to continuing to build our presence in the community,” said Roger Ali, president and CEO of OneFoundation for Niagara Health System.
He says the company is soon planning to change their name to The Niagara Health Foundation.
Winning Niagara Health staff members were: Bob Bond, Kim Bowen, Julie Campbell, Rita DAloisio, Nancy Dillon, Breann Hadley, Teri Haeni, Amanda Hansen, Martin Kelertas, Charlene Kenna, Kelly
Kimberley and Michelle Novarro.