Lethbridge student volunteers awarded scholarships

Five recipients looking forward to careers in healthcare

Story by Kelly Morris

LETHBRIDGE — The future is looking brighter for five Healthcare Professionals of Tomorrow after receiving scholarships towards their healthcare focused post-secondary education.

Each year, Friends of Chinook Regional Hospital and Alberta Health Services (AHS) Volunteer Resources select two high school student volunteers and two post-secondary student volunteers who aspire to a career in healthcare. This year, an additional scholarship for a high school student entering post-secondary school was sponsored by the University of Lethbridge Rotaract Club.

Yazan Darwiche, a University of Lethbridge student studying chemistry and health sciences, says volunteering at Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH) has strengthened his passion for helping others and inspired him to pursue a future in medicine.

“Whether it’s helping someone find their way or offering a small moment of comfort, I’ve learned that kindness goes a long way,” says Yazan. “That’s exactly what I want to do in the future, help people, support them, and make a difference through a career in medicine.”

Darwiche’s younger brother, Yousif, a recent high school graduate and fellow scholarship recipient, is excited to start in the Bachelor of Nursing program in Lethbridge this fall after finding his passion volunteering at CRH.

“I’ve volunteered in many different settings, but it was my time at the hospital that truly shaped my future,” says Yousif. “That experience helped me discover my passion for healthcare and confirmed my decision to pursue a career in nursing. I’ve learned so much already, and I know there’s still much more to gain as I begin the nursing program this fall.”

Nida Nadeem, a third year Bachelor of Health Sciences student with a focus in Public Health, has been volunteering with CRH’s identification program, helping individuals obtain government ID and personal health cards.

“Working with clients facing poverty, mental illness or even addiction has taught me so much about the resilient nature of humans and shown me what caring for someone with dignity truly means,” she says. “This scholarship will help me continue my education in Public Health so one day I can help our society even more.”

Unsure of what to study after graduating high school, Gabe Anoos decided to volunteer at CRH as a way to explore career opportunities.

“Since my first shift, I have begun to envision myself in a healthcare career and have been inspired to pursue a career as a doctor,” says Anoos.

“As I begin my postsecondary studies this fall, my experiences and lessons from volunteering continue to shape the healthcare professional I hope to become, and this scholarship is an incredible encouragement to continue serving my community."

Volunteering at CRH for more than three years, scholarship recipient Jerry Wang assisted with wayfinding, mealtime assistance and most recently, patient experience — helping patients feel more at home while in hospital.

“I volunteer not only to make the hospital more enjoyable for the patients, but to also help the hard-working nurses in any way I can,” says Wang. “I plan to put the Healthcare Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship towards university, and hopefully one day I’ll be able to return to the hospital as someone who can assist patients more than I can now."

Daniel Erickson, executive director of the Friends of Chinook Regional Hospital, looks forward to selecting such worthwhile scholarship recipients each year, and recognizing the next generation of healthcare professionals for their dedication and enthusiasm.

“Their outstanding passion for volunteerism, community service and plans to establish healthcare careers really sets them apart,” says Erickson. For the recipients, he adds: “Congratulations on this significant achievement on your journey toward a career in healthcare.”