Chinook Regional Hospital volunteers awarded scholarships

By Lethbridge Herald on August 25, 2022.

The Friends of Chinook Regional Hospital and Alberta Health Services Volunteer Resources have awarded four Healthcare Professionals of Tomorrow scholarships to volunteers at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

Recipients of two scholarships were awarded $2,000 with the other two receiving $1,500 for their volunteer work at CRH, pursuing careers that will further their education in healthcare.

“I volunteer as a way to give back to the community,” said Vinura Abeysekara, recipient of the $2,000 grant. “It’s also a good first step into healthcare, which I have always wanted to pursue a career in. Receiving this scholarship will help me a lot in my goal of pursuing a career as a family physician, and is a reminder that giving back to the community is always appreciated.” Abeysekara has volunteered at CRH since 2019 while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge.

“Volunteering not only gives me the opportunity to spread kindness and make people’s day but it also gives me a chance to work in a healthcare setting,” said Amy Quan, recipient of the other $2,000 grant. “I’d like to thank the volunteer coordinators at CRH especially Filomena Laporte-Packer and Hilary Holt for providing a diverse range of opportunities, and inspired me to fully commit to pursuing a career in healthcare.” Quan is a recent graduate from high school and will attend the University of British Columbia with a goal of attending medical school to become a radiologist

“I became a volunteer because I wanted to get more exposure to the realities of the hospital-setting and wanted to give back to my local community,” said Saffren Colbourne, recipient of the $1,500 grant. “I am extremely lucky to be able to make people’s hospital visit less daunting. Putting a smile on their faces makes volunteering all worth it.” Colbourne has been volunteering since 2019 in Wayfinding and Diagnostics and Imaging. He is an aspiring medical student pursuing a career in nursing, admiring he compassion and care nurses provide.

“Volunteering has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” says Hunter Johnson, recipient of the other $1,500 grant. “Volunteering has allowed me to surround myself with like-minded people who strive to make a positive impact on everything they do, giving me a sense of purpose, involvement, and determination. Receiving this award will alleviate some of the financial stress associated with post-secondary schooling, allowing me to completely focus on my research, future schooling, and other volunteer activities.” Johnson has been volunteering with CRH while completing a Master of Science degree at the University of Lethbridge.

Friends of CRH supports programs important to patient experience, looking to enhance the hospital community through the efforts of dedicated staff and volunteers. Recognizing the volunteers who make their efforts possible.

“Each year, we get the opportunity to work with and support hard-working future healthcare professionals through these scholarships,” says Executive Director Daniel Erickson. “This year’s recipients continue to go above and beyond in their volunteerism here at CRH, with a true passion for a future career in healthcare. I look forward to seeing what they achieve next.”