Congratulations to Nicole Crisp and Lola Dickson, recipients of NHH’s 2023 Health Professions Scholarships
Nicole Crisp and Lola Dickson are the recipients of Northumberland Hills Hospital’s 2023 Health Professions Scholarships.
The scholarships, a prize of $1,500 per student, were announced by Tom McLean, Vice Chair, NHH Board of Directors.
“As in previous years, we had a strong response from the community following our call for applications for this award,” said Tom McLean. “There were many worthy candidates, but tonight’s recipients stood out from their peers. They’re bright, they’re dedicated, they’re empathetic and—in a time with many challenges—they are very focused on their goals.”
The presentation continued a tradition started by the volunteer Board in 2003 to support students from west Northumberland who have chosen to pursue a career in the health-care sector.
In addition to being enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a full-time study program, applicants are evaluated on a combination of criteria, including:
- academic achievements;
- extra-curricular activities;
- a testimonial explaining (in their own words) their career goals; and
- written references.
Details of the 2023 scholarship winners’ achievements were shared as follows at the early evening presentation which served as the first item of business on the Board’s June Board meeting agenda.
Nicole Crisp, Castleton
After 15 years in executive assistant and administrator roles, Nicole chose to return to school to embark on a second career path in health care, inspired in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nicole—who completed her first year of Loyalist College’s Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) program in April 2023—always knew her true professional calling was nursing,
stating in her application, “I had always wanted to be a nurse, yet it wasn’t until we were in a global pandemic that I knew it was finally time for me to follow that calling.”
With one year left in her RPN program—resuming in September 2023—Nicole has already taken an interest in the fields of labour and delivery and surgical services, which she hopes to pursue post-graduation.
Nicole—who originally grew up on a grain farm in Northern Saskatchewan—is a dedicated volunteer in the Durham Region and within her new home community of Northumberland County.
She has previously served as a Team Manager and Volunteer Board Member with Clarington Baseball Association, is an active parent volunteer with Northumberland Hills Public School, and was recently approved to begin volunteering at Community Care Northumberland.
Nicole’s academic merits were described with enthusiasm from Barbara Remington, Practical Nursing Professor at Loyalist College, in a letter of reference, which described her as someone who “engages fully in class and lab settings and academically achieves a high level of success in all her courses. [Nicole] demonstrates a strong work ethic, and high quality of work.”
In addition to her academics and regular volunteerism, Nicole’s biggest and most rewarding accomplishment to date is something she shared with pride in her application—being a mother and wife.
“I am a full-time student, mother, wife and neighbour who is proud to live in Northumberland and is committed to this community.”
Lola Dickson, Grafton
Lola is currently enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences program at the University of Ottawa, where she has just completed her second year.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Lola aspires to attend medical school and become an obstetrician with the goal of working at Northumberland Hills Hospital in future, stating: “I was born and raised in Northumberland, this is my home, and I would be grateful to be able to work at NHH someday.”
Lola graduated from Cobourg Collegiate Institute as an Ontario Scholar. She is also a past recipient of the Judy Wright Award for Leadership and the Christine Mathews Award for All-Around Academic Achievement.
Lola’s academic achievements are complemented by her volunteerism with the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, where she has served since 2017.
In her application, Lola described her time as a volunteer with Fare Share, saying, “Volunteering here has taught me a great deal about food security, social determinants of health, and vulnerable populations. I take pride in my commitment to the organization; consistency in volunteers is helpful not only to Fare Share, but also to the people who utilize the service.”
Lola was praised for her service to others in a recommendation letter from Lynn Maclean, Manager of the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, who said, “Lola is a real team player who jumps in with both feet to help out those in need.” Lynn Maclean further endorsed Lola’s strength of character, adding that, “Not only is Lola a top student, she is also an all-around incredible person.”
In addition to her work with Fare Share, Lola has also recently completed her orientation with the NHH Auxiliary and has begun volunteering in various departments across the hospital.
Information on the requirements for NHH’s Health Professions Scholarship program will be found under the Careers section of the hospital website. Applications are invited at any time, but typically close in February of each year with presentations at the June meeting of the Board.