The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation (RDRHF) provided $16,000 in scholarships to 16 deserving students recently to assist them in continuing their education in health care.
Community members who know first hand what it means to have qualified professionals caring for their ill loved ones developed many of the scholarships.
Malory Holmes, a scholarship recipient, said the money will allow her to continue her training in respiratory therapy to be able to offer different options for treatment to her patients.
One of the recipient’s goals is to open her own centre in Red Deer for pain management. The closest centre of this kind is in Lacombe, said Dallas Jones.
“I’ve wanted to do this for two years. I have an education but to put it into practice would really help improve people’s quality of life,” said Jones.
Two scholarships were given out to deserving volunteers within the RDRHF and Darci Shave, coordinator with volunteer resources, said the single recipient of both scholarships was a more than deserving young lady.
Jamie Calkins has been volunteering since 2007.
“When I first started though I wouldn’t even go in the door of patients’ rooms. Today I am more confident,” said Calkins. She said that volunteering not only helped with her social skills but also allowed her to make new friends and find new ways to deal with problem solving.
Shave said seeing volunteers grow is always exciting and that they are important and deserving figures in the health care community.
This was the fifth annual scholarship awards ceremony and the recipients all had a good idea as to what the money would go towards or the things the dollars would enable them to do. Master of Ceremonies for the event was Jacqueline Brooks, executive director of the Foundation.
“The recipients’ dedication to their chosen health care fields benefits all of us. These scholarships would not be possible without our many thoughtful donors. Without their vision we would not be able to attract and retain the best and brightest health care professionals.”
Some of the scholarships awarded included the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship, the Dr. Ratzlaff/Dr. Molberg Scholarship, the Leo J. Falardeau Endowment Scholarship, the Cec and Phyl Holmes Scholarship, the Lloyd and Evelyn McNeil Scholarship, the Florence Embury Memorial Scholarship, the James Bradley Tubbs Memorial Scholarship, the Edengrace Barisow Scholarship, the Youth Volunteer Scholarship and the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Youth Volunteer Scholarship.
Many of the donors or members of their families were in attendance at the event which Brooks said made it even more special.
“These individuals are the future of health care in our communities and are truly deserving. The generosity of the donors has made a significant difference not only for the recipients of the scholarships but also for Central Alberta residents. We all benefit from the continued education of our staff and youth.”
kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com
