It's a bi-annual event that helps many local health care professionals further their studies.
Last week The Health Foundation and TD Bank Financial Group announced the recipients of the Fall Education Awards for 2011. Applications are considered twice each year and awards are given each spring and fall. The fall awards saw 16 successful applicants for a total of $15,174.
The Health Foundation's Scholarship Fund awards approximately $24,000 a year to help further the training and education of health care staff in east central Saskatchewan. The TD Bank Financial Group contributes $12,000 annually to fund 50 per cent of the awards. The education awards program is very well received by Sunrise Health Region staff.
The latest presentation represents the 11th consecutive year TD has partnered with The Health Foundation to make a significant investment in the local healthcare system through the education program.
"TD Bank Financial Group is committed to investing in the future of this area by helping to ensure that nurses and other practicing caregivers have access to funds to upgrade their skills and further their education," comments Jonas Haywood, TD Canada Trust Area Manager for east central Saskatchewan.
"This program has had tremendous success since it started. We have successfully assisted our nurses and therapists to enhance their education and improve their skills. This program has helped improve the quality of healthcare available in our local medical facilities."
The Health Foundation Education Committee and TD Bank Financial Group presented a total of 16 awards.
The recipients of TD Bank Financial Group's scholarship awards are:
Cory Gray, YDNH Skinner Unit, is taking the LPN program;
Hilary Keller, with St. Paul Lutheran Home, is taking s the NEPS program;
Derek Keller, Director of EMS, is taking the Emergency Management Exercise Design Certificate;
Mary-Jean Vogel, is with Finance in Kamsack, and is taking the Health Information Management Diploma.
The recipients of The Health Foundation's scholarship awards were:
Loretta Erhardt, works in Infection Control, and is taking her RN Degree;
Sheri Dawn MacGillivray, with Kamsack Community Services is taking the Health Assessment Clinical Drug Therapy program.
The recipients of The Health Foundation's awards to attend workshops and conferences are:
Kory Bell, with Cornerstone Therapies, attending a Learning Language & Loving It conference;
Sara Grainger, with Cornerstone Therapies, attending a conference on Occupational and Speech Therapy using a sensory motor approach;
Patricia Lausman, Cornerstone Therapies, attending a conference on Occupational and Speech Therapy using a sensory motor approach;
Koliann Shwaga, in YRHC - ICU, attending the Dynamics of Critical Care conference;
Jodie Yathon, Cornerstone Therapies, attending a conference on Locomotor Training in Stroke and Brain Injury.
Jointly with TD Bank Financial Group we are also funding a workshop on Intrapartum Care in Yorkton for staff working in the Obstetrical Unit. There are 10 confirmed staff attending the course scheduled for April 26 and 27.
Additionally, says Ross Fisher, Executive Director of The Health Foundation, "We have purchased items for two departments under the Educational Resource Materials of the Education Program, they are:"
Tasha Sudsbear on behalf of Cornerstone Therapies is accepting an award to allow Therapies to purchase 16 copies of "It takes Two to Talk"
Marie Dubreuil on behalf of the Education Department is accepting an award to allow Education to purchase the Baby Anne 4-Pack which is equipment for CPR training.
Since the program started in 2002, there have been 232 awards totaling $215,093. The Health Foundation normally grants up to $24,000 in educational awards, but if some awards are unused those funds are carried forward and made available in the next round of applications.
The next deadline for applications by healthcare staff is April 15, 2012. Posters and application forms will be circulated to all Sunrise Health Region facilities and departments in the spring.
