Welland Hospital Foundation - News
The Niagara Health System - Welland Hospital Site requires $6 million in urgently needed equipment this year. Our Foundation has set a goal to raise almost $400,000 for priority capital equipment and to help cover the cost of special projects including $100,000 for the new Dialysis Unit and $122,000 for the Leon Emergency and Ambulatory Care Centre. There is no government funding for this equipment and limited funding for other projects.
2010 Scholarships
Welland Hospital Foundation is accepting applications for the Dr. Ken Hope Memorial Book Award and the Niagara Health System – Welland Hospital Site Tuition Scholarship for undergraduates pursing a career in health sciences: medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy or other health profession.
“We want to spread the word about these generous awards to help young people who are planning to start college or university in the fall,” said Derek Moore, foundation director and chair of the scholarship committee.
The book award provides $500 to help pay for books and supplies for a first-year college or university student. The hospital’s tuition scholarship is for $1,000 per year up to a total of $4,000.
The foundation is also thrilled to announce a new scholarship this year. The Lifetime Honourary Scholarship will award $500 for a first-year college or university student entering a medically related field. This scholarship will be offered only in any year that one of the foundation’s Honourary Board Members passes away.
“This scholarship came about with the passing of Gerry Nash, one of the foundation’s founding directors.” explains president Geri Morrone. “Gerry was a tremendous asset to the foundation for its entire thirty years supporting it financially and with his continued wisdom. He will be truly missed.
When contacted by foundation executive director Heather J. Scott, Mr. Nash’s son David, he was very surprised by the new scholarship but not the appreciation of the foundation for his father’s contributions. David and his wife, Cynthia have funded this year’s scholarship and in a letter to the foundation remarked, “I am quite confident that I can speak on his behalf in that he would be so honoured and humbled to be recognized by the very Foundation he endeavoured to support and promote in such earnest.”
All of the criteria and information for eligibility is available on the foundation website.
May 8 is the deadline for applications, which are available online or at local high school guidance offices.
2009 Scholarships
The winners of the three scholarships were absolutely delighted to be chosen from a very strong pool of candidates.
NHS - Welland Hospital Site Tuition Scholarship
($1,000 per year for up to four years for a student in a healthcare program at a college or university.)
This scholarship was established by Welland County General Hospital Board of Trustees in 1994 and continued under the Niagara Health System - Welland Hospital Site. The Welland Hospital Foundation co-ordinates the annual selection process.
The selection committee looks for a well-rounded student who is active as a community volunteer, as well as takes part in extra-curricular activities.
Niagara Health System – Welland Hospital Site Award – Katie McCann
Katie attends E.L. Crossley, holding the highest academic position in her class, and will be attending McGill University following graduation.
"After obtaining my BSc (likely majoring in Biochemistry or Microbiology and Immunology), I hope to go to medical school. I would like to become an oncologist or a radiologist. Everyone has been touched by Cancer. I feel empowered to do everything I can to help these people through the most difficult time in their life”.
Dr. Ken Hope Memorial Book Award
($500 for first-year books and resources)
This award came about as a result of donations made to the Welland Hospital Foundation in memory of Dr. Ken Hope, a local physician for many years who passed away in November 2000.
"I know my husband would be very happy to know that we are giving a helping hand to our young people," said Dr. Joanna Hope, a family physician in Fenwick. "Ken was very involved with the youth in our area and my children and I are pleased to have had the opportunity to start a scholarship in his name."
Dr. Ken Hope Book Award – Kayla Paquette
Kayla attends Centenial Secondary School and has an 89% average. She will be attending Queens University to become a Registered Nurse.
“I’ve had a passion and interest in the field of medicine since I was a little girl. In Sept. 2007, I began to have unexplained seizures that prevented me from going to school. I was doing a co-op placement at the Welland Hospital.
When I became sick I was unable to continue my placement and was devastated. After having been taken to the emergency room numerous times and being admitted, I began to understand what it took to be a nurse. By not only observing but also by participating, I discovered that nursing is what I was created to do.
I want to experience the feeling of knowing every patient I see I will have the chance to possibly influence their lives.
Becoming a nurse is my goal in life and I plan to do whatever it takes to accomplish that ambition.”
Dr. Laszlo Kuharik Memorial Scholarship
(Maximum of $6,000 per year towards Doctor of Medicine Degree)
Dr. Laszlo Kuharik was born in Hungary on Jan. 3, 1913. He graduated from the University of Budapest with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and practised as a surgeon in Hungary until 1944.
Dr. Kuharik was admitted to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as a physician. In 1952, Dr. Kuharik moved to Welland, where he practised medicine with the assistance of his wife, Maria, until his retirement in 1987. His contemporaries noted he was renowned and respected in the community and the profession for the excellence and compassion of his care. As a couple, they were inseparable. Dr. Kuharik died in 1995.
Dr. Lazslo Kuharik Memorial Scholarship – Eugenie Waters
Eugenie is in her third year at the Schulich School of Medicine in Windsor.
One of her references wrote: “Eugenie worked with me for a summer, going over charts to evaluate staging of lung cancer and a unique treatment we use here for locally advanced unresectable lung cancer, (while also seeing patients in consultation in our outpatient clinic). Her research was so complete and well done that we are submitting a paper on behalf of the Lung Team at LRCP, based on her work, and of which is Eugenie is the first author.”
Ironically, Eugenie has been phoning the foundation to inquire about this scholarship since beginning medical school and Heather has had to advise her that there is not a spot available for her to apply to until this year. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to not only tell her she could apply but that she had won.
For more information contact:
Heather J. Scott
Executive Director
Tel: 905-378-4647, ext. 32396
Email: heatherj.scott@niagarahealth.on.ca