Meet 6 Brilliant Locals & Bow Valley Health Care Scholarship Recipients
In 2022, the Canmore & Area Health Care Foundation (CAHCF) and the Canmore Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary (CHLA) launched the Bow Valley Health Care Scholarship program. This initiative, funded by the generosity of our donors and community supporters, was developed to encourage people from the Bow Valley who are and will become the heartbeat of our local health care system. In an effort to recognize the essential role that health care providers and first responders play, CAHCF made a commitment to support our community members pursuing careers in health care fields.
Last year CAHCF and CHLA were honoured to present scholarships to four incredible local students, but the work didn’t stop there. After a successful first round, the opportunity to increase the impact became clear, and a new goal emerged: to expand the program and raise funds to support more future health care professionals from the Bow Valley.
With the support of CAHCF donors and a generous community member who sponsored a new Bow Valley Indigenous Health Professional Bursary, we are proud to announce that six individuals have been awarded Bow Valley Health Care Scholarships in 2023.
George Reed
George Reed grew up in Canmore and is currently a second-year medical student at the University of Alberta. George is interested in pursuing a surgical specialty, though he’d like to keep an open mind while exploring the many routes his medical career may take him. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the scholarship. With many years of education still ahead of me, financial support is always greatly appreciated, and I would like to thank the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation, the Canmore Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and all other donors for their exceptional generosity,” said George.
Annika Hicks
Annika Hicks is a Canmore local and medical student at the University of British Columbia. Annika hopes to practice medicine in Canmore and is in the process of choosing her specialty. “Active living is central to life in Canmore, and as a physician, I would like to help others start, maintain, and enhance their ability to be physically active,” she said, “I am honoured to be a recipient of this scholarship and have sincere gratitude for the support the Canmore community continues to provide. Medical school is a long journey with significant expenses. I am grateful for the generous donors who made this scholarship possible.”
Clara Terra
Clara Terra is local to Canmore and is currently a student in speech-language pathology at the University of Alberta. “ I want to advocate for inclusive, culturally safe, client-centred, and accessible speech and language pathology services within the Bow Valley to assist those who require support in their communication,” she shared, “I am very grateful to receive this scholarship to help support me in the costs of my full-time classes and practicums over the course of the next year while I attend the University of Alberta.”
Alina Arvisais
Alina Arvisais calls Canmore home. She is pursuing her Master’s in Physical Therapy, also at the University of Alberta. “My goal after completing the MScPT degree is to return to the Bow Valley and work as a physiotherapist to support the well-being of the local community,” she said. “Receiving this funding means I will be able to work fewer hours and better focus on my studies and other educational opportunities. I deeply appreciate the support and look forward to using the skills and knowledge I will learn in school to contribute to the local community.”
Naomi Franklin
Naomi Franklin has lived in Alberta for her entire life and has called Canmore home since 2017. She has worked as a pharmacist in various capacities since 2007 and is now pursuing a degree and career in counselling psychology. Naomi's love for the Bow Valley and the people in it are evidenced by her willingness to support and give back to the community as a counsellor, foster connections, and raise her family here. “Receiving this funding is an honor and privilege and I am extremely grateful to the deciding committee and CAHCF, donors, and CHLA for providing the funds,” she told us.
Ethan Twoyoungmen
Ethan Twoyoungmen is a member of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, and grew up in Morley, Alberta. Ethan shared that he was lacking role models growing up and didn’t feel he had much to look forward to upon graduation. “My post-secondary journey started when those working from the Iniskm Centre reached out to Morley Community School, informing the students (and myself) that there are more opportunities after high school. From there, I experienced the university lifestyle and eventually found my passion for psychology. After studying the broad field of psychology and re-examining the environment I grew up in, I decided to set my long-term goal to become a psychotherapist specializing in indigenous mental health,” he shared, “I want to incorporate indigenous traditions with western teachings in therapy, which in turn would make therapy more inclusive for Indigenous peoples.” Ethan is incredibly grateful for this support. “ I appreciate this award, as it will help me reach my long-term goal. Most importantly, this scholarship reminded me that I can achieve more than I thought,” he told us.
The CAHCF and CHLA are honoured to support these passionate young people and cannot wait to see where their educational journeys and careers take them. This program is entirely funded by our donors, and these funds are essential to keep the program running for years to come. If you have an interest in supporting this program or creating a bursary, please consider donating to our Programs Fund.