Volunteers planning medical careers benefit: Here are the 2021 winners!
From left: Jenay Kaytor, Uvindu Abeysekara, Eniola Fayemiwo, and Jomana Al-Shareef
The Friends of Chinook Regional Hospital, together with Alberta Health Services Volunteer Resources, has awarded its annual Health Care Professionals of Tomorrow scholarships to four exceptional volunteers.
Two scholarships of $2000 and two of $1500 are awarded to young people pursuing a career in healthcare, who live within the hospital’s service area and who have volunteered with patients at Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH).
Janay Kaytor, a $2,000 recipient, is set to graduate from Addictions Counselling at the University of Lethbridge in 2022, and has been a volunteer at CRH since 2018, in the Emergency Dept. Her stellar work led to a leadership role in the ED as Emergency Volunteer Mentor, responsible for training new volunteers on the unit.
Uvindu Abeysekara, a $1,500 recipient, starts his third year at the U of L this fall, working toward a Biochemistry degree. He would like to become a pediatrician or family physician, and has been volunteering at CRH for more than three years in numerous areas of the hospital. Volunteering has given him confidence, he says, and empathy for patients.
Jomana Al-Shareef received a $1,500 scholarship. Currently studying kinesiology at the U of L, her goal is to become a chiropractor or physician.
Eniola Fayemiwo, a high school student who received a $2,000 scholarship, aspires to attend university to study nursing or medical laboratory science. Her passion for volunteering extends beyond the hospital, and she’s been very involved at her high school as well as in the community.
Daniel Erickson, Executive Director of Friends of Chinook Regional Hospital, says these volunteers were chosen for many reasons. “Their outstanding passion for volunteerism, community service and plans to establish healthcare careers really sets them apart. Congratulations on this significant achievement on your journey toward a career in healthcare.”
Friends of CRH has long supported patients, visitors and staff through operation of a gift shop and TV/phone program. Friends recognizes and gives back to the volunteers who make their efforts possible.