NHH Auxiliary honours student volunteers with Dixie Mikel Scholarships, Congratulations to Isabella Leon and Vikaash Angusami Subasri!
The Board of Directors of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary is pleased to announce that Isabella Leon and Vikaash Angusami Subasri have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Dixie Mikel Scholarship in recognition of their 2025 volunteerism and commitment to Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH).
This scholarship was created in memory of the late Yvonne (Dixie) Mikel, wife of a prominent local physician, Dr. Don Mikel, and a long-time supporter of the Auxiliary at the former Cobourg hospital site. Mrs. Mikel is credited with founding the Student Auxiliary Volunteer program which continues to this day, in expanded form, at NHH.
Dixie Mikel Scholarships, in the amount of $1,250 each, are awarded annually by the NHH Auxiliary Board to exceptional student volunteers currently attending or accepted to a university or college. Applicants must have accumulated a minimum of 80 volunteer hours at NHH and taking courses that lead to degrees in health sciences, nursing, medical research, or biotechnology.
Isabella Leon, Cobourg
Since joining the NHH Auxiliary in August 2023, Isabella has spent the past two years as a dedicated volunteer in the hospital’s Cancer and Supportive Care unit.
Isabella’s decision to volunteer in a hospital environment was inspired by her own experiences as a patient, as well as the experience of a close relative.
In her application letter, Isabella wrote, “The culminating effects of our experiences in the healthcare system have reshaped my outlook on life completely. For the first time in my life, I began to consider studying life sciences, with the goal of working in the field of healthcare. This decision led me to volunteer at Northumberland Hills Hospital in the cancer care unit. My time here has confirmed my passion for healthcare and working with patients. It has been an absolute honour to learn from nurses, volunteers, clerks, and doctors in the unit, and a privilege to build relationships with patients receiving care."
This fall, Isabella will be entering the final year of her undergraduate studies, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Isabella aspires to further her education in life sciences with a master’s degree.
Vikaash Angusami Subasri, Cobourg
In December 2023, Vikaash began his volunteer journey at NHH as a member of the hydration team on 1A/1B Post Acute Specialty Services and later expanded his volunteer engagement by also joining the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP).
Vikaash’s interest in healthcare can be attributed to his parents, who have both worked in a hospital environment. “Some of my earliest memories are of waiting after school at a hospital where my parents worked,” said Vikaash in his application letter. “Volunteering has not only taught me how a hospital runs, but also helped me grow personally. With most of my family overseas, conversing with people of an older demographic is rare. I built confidence through volunteering at NHH. Twice a week, I learned to be comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone and ended up building many friendships.”
This fall, Vikaash will begin his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences with future aspirations to first become a Registered Nurse, and eventually, a Nurse Practitioner.
“The Dixie Mikel Scholarship has become a testament to the dedication, commitment and contributions of our student volunteers,” said Rick Riley, President of the NHH Auxiliary. “Awarding these scholarships each year is a tradition that allows us to honour the memory of Dixie Mikel while celebrating the vibrant spirit of volunteerism at NHH. Today’s students are tomorrow’s healthcare professionals, and we are very pleased to play a small part in encouraging their interest. On behalf of the Auxiliary Board, I would like to offer our sincerest congratulations to Isabella and Vikaash and wish them both the best in their academic pursuits.”
The Dixie Mikel Scholarship is presented annually. Applications for consideration for the 2026 award are requested before July 30, 2026. For details on the Auxiliary Board’s scholarship opportunity and current volunteer opportunities, including application forms, please visit the Volunteers tab of the hospital website.