Scholarship Recipients

2025 Scholarship Recipients

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 scholarship initiative is generously provided by the Town of Grimshaw, Municipal District of Peace 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 Professions Action Plan).

2024 Scholarship Recipients

𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
February 7, 2024 - The Grimshaw Regional Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee (GRHARC) is pleased to announce the 2024 GRHARC Healthcare Scholarship Program recipients. The $2000 scholarship provides support for six students entering a healthcare or medical-related program and encourages them to live and work in the region.

“Thank you to all who applied for the scholarship and congratulations to the successful recipients,” says Stacey Messner, GRHARC Chairperson. “It is heartwarming to see so many people in our region pursuing careers in healthcare and we commend you all for your eagerness to contribute to healthy communities in the north - we wish we could support you all.”

The 2024 recipients are:

𝐀𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 - 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰
First year of the Bachelor of Nursing Program at MacEwan University in Edmonton
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 - 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐲𝐧
Final year of the Practical Nurse Program at Northern Lakes College in Peace River
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐳 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢 - 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰
First year of the Bachelor of Science Immunology and Infection Program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton
𝐑𝐚𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐧 - 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰
Final year of the Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Program at SAIT in Calgary
𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐃 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝟏𝟑𝟓
Final year of the Practical Nurse Program at the Northern Lakes College in Peace River
𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰
Third year of the Bachelor of Nursing Program at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie

A total of 13 applications were received in a wide-range of healthcare professions. Application requirements included proof of residency in either the Town of Grimshaw, MD of Peace No. 135, Village of Berwyn or the County of Northern Lights, proof of acceptance into a health or medical-related program and a 500-700 word essay that includes information on their commitment to working in a rural northern setting.

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

“Please join us in thanking our municipal partners for their generosity in this important three-year scholarship program and their support in the committee's overall work,” says Messner.

The GRHARC committee has been in existence for 15 years and works to attract and retain healthcare professionals and support them as they integrate into the community. The committee consists of elected officials from the Town of Grimshaw, County of Northern Lights, Municipal District of Peace 135, the Village of Berwyn, a CAO from each municipality, a local physician, a physician resource planner from AHS, two members at large, and a consultant from RhPAP (Rural Health Professionals Action Plan).

2023 Emergency Team Award

For immediate release October 10, 2023
Join us in congratulating the Grimshaw/Berwyn District Community Emergency Team for being selected as the 2023 Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award Recipient. The team was recognized at a special dinner and awards ceremony on October 3, 2023 in Grimshaw.

“This provincial award celebrates rural Alberta health professionals or teams that demonstrate superior commitment to their patients, healthcare team, and community,” says Tracy Sopkow, RhPAP CAO. The Grimshaw Emergency Team was nominated by the Grimshaw Regional Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee (GRHARC) and was selected by the RhPAP selection committee from a total of six nominations put forth province-wide.

During the ceremony, Stacey Messner, GRHARC Chairperson praised the Emergency Team for their outstanding dedication, commitment and support to provide patients with high-quality care and their creative efforts to keep the emergency department open.

“You worked with AHS to find creative solutions to keep the Grimshaw emergency department open even on a modified hours schedule during the labour shortage to continually serve the residents of our community and our region,” said Messner. “For all you do, we applaud you and thank you very much for being an integral part of our community’s health.”

A special recognition video was created and shown during the ceremony featuring the Emergency Team as well as patients, residents and colleagues expressing their gratitude. The video includes two powerful stories from local residents regarding the life-saving support they received from the Emergency Team. View the video HERE

Comments were also shared from community members, patients and healthcare staff that included the following:

“When people think small town rural hospitals they sometimes think you’re not going to get the level of care that you would get at a larger hospital. But that is simply not true in Grimshaw.”
“They bring quiet calmness in times of stress, high anxiety and fear. They are committed members of their community dedicated to going the extra mile.”
“They are the caretakers of our community. They create an atmosphere of welcome and comfort for all.”
“They all have a caring manner, ensuring that patients are seen in a timely fashion and that the most appropriate treatment is given.”
“I can't say enough about this team. My children and I receive exceptional care every time we’ve had to be seen. They are dedicated to everyone and to giving the best care possible.”

Debbie Popielarz, Registered Nurse and Grimshaw Emergency Team member accepted the award on behalf of the Emergency Team.“I never imagined in my career that I would be honoured to be a part of such an amazing team” said Popielarz. “We care for and support each other, it’s such a caring and respectful environment. And to the two amazing ladies, Nicole and Violet, who stepped up and volunteered to work so we could all attend the festivities - thank you. It is people like them that make working in a small facility so great.”

The Grimshaw Emergency Team was provided with a crystal congratulatory plaque and a $1250 donation to be directed to a local non-profit. The team chose to donate to Peace Country Youth Unlimited.