Six Local Students Awarded Regional Healthcare Scholarships

Grimshaw Regional Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee Invests in Future Healthcare Professionals

February 21, 2025 – The Grimshaw Regional Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee (GRHARC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 GRHARC Healthcare Scholarship Program. This annual scholarship, valued at $2,000 per recipient, provides financial support to six students pursuing healthcare or medical-related studies, with the goal of encouraging them to live and work in the region.

“We are thrilled to support these dedicated students as they take the next steps in their healthcare careers,” says Stacey Messner, GRHARC Chairperson. “Their passion for making a difference in northern communities is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will have in the future.”

The 2025 scholarship recipients are:

• Charity Bettenson – MD of Peace 135
  Second and final year of the Practical Nursing Program at Northwestern Polytechnic in Fairview

• Hesslich Too-A-Foo – Grimshaw
  First year of the Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Infection at the University of Alberta

• Susie Friesen – County of Northern Lights
  First year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie

• Raegan Coen – Grimshaw
  Third year of the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Program at the University of Calgary

• Kieara Tucker – MD of Peace 135
  Second year of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at NAIT in Edmonton

• Jenna Terriff – Grimshaw
  Fourth and final year of the Bachelor of Nursing Program at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie

This year, 16 applications were received from students in various healthcare fields. To be eligible, applicants had to demonstrate residency in the Town of Grimshaw, MD of Peace No. 135, Village of Berwyn, or County of Northern Lights, provide proof of acceptance into a healthcare or medical program, and submit a 500-700 word essay outlining their commitment to serving in rural northern communities.

Funding for this three-year scholarship initiative is generously provided by the Town of Grimshaw, MD of Peace No. 135, Village of Berwyn, and County of Northern Lights.

“We are incredibly grateful to our municipal partners for recognizing the importance of investing in future healthcare professionals,” adds Messner. “Their commitment to this program is a direct investment in the health and well-being of our communities.”

For the past 15 years, GRHARC has worked to attract and retain healthcare professionals, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported as they establish their careers in the region. The committee includes elected officials from participating municipalities, CAOs, a local physician, an AHS physician resource planner, two community representatives, and a consultant from RhPAP (Rural Health Professionals Action Plan).