​TD Bank Financial Group and The Health Foundation announced the recipients of the Fall Education Awards for 2018 on January 9, 2019. Applications are considered twice each year and awards are given each spring and fall. 25 successful applicants received $27,185.50 this past fall. In total there were 40 successful applicants in 2018; awards totaled $40,900.

Annually, The Health Foundation and TD Bank award at least $24,000 a year to help further the training and education of healthcare staff in east central Saskatchewan. TD Bank contributes $12,000 annually to fund 50% of the awards.  

This is the 18th consecutive year TD has partnered with The Health Foundation, making a very significant investment in local healthcare through this education program. This brings the total contribution of TD Bank Financial Group to $194,000 for the Education Awards. Since this education program began there have been 448 awards totaling $418,375.

“TD Bank is committed to investing in the future of this region by helping to ensure that nurses and other caregivers have access to funds to upgrade their skills and further their education,” said Les Arnelien, Branch Manager with TD Canada Trust. “We are pleased that TD is presenting seven (7) awards today: five are in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program; one is taking Speech Language Pathology; and, one is taking the Licensed Practical Nurse program.

These awards will help the individuals pursue their education aspirations and improve their clinical skills and the knowledge they bring to their job working with patients.”

The recipients of TD Bank Financial Group’s scholarship awards are:

• Christine Bermejo of Yorkton who works at St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville and at the Yorkton & District Nursing home. Christine is taking her Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Courtney Geddes is currently an LPN and enrolled in her second year of nursing;
• Sandra Kenny is taking the LPN program;
• Avery Schick of Melville is working in the Ituna Pioneer Health Care Centre. Avery is taking the Speech Language Pathology graduate program;
• Tera Walsh of Bredenbury is working in the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Tera is taking her Bachelor of Nursing degree;
• Shelly Watkins of Foam Lake is working in the Foam Lake Jubilee Home and with Home Care in Foam Lake. Shelly is taking her Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Hannah Werle-Morin works at the Langenburg Healthcare Centre and in Dietary. She is taking her Bachelor of Nursing Degree.

The recipients of The Health Foundation’s scholarship awards are:

• Melissa Czornobay who is taking the office administration course;
• Eunice Erhaze will be taking the advanced Certificate for Perioperative Nursing. She will be working in the Operating Room in Yorkton.
• Sheila Garn is taking the CCA program;
• Jenica Gunhold is taking the advanced critical care nursing course;
• Kristin Lomenda is taking the advanced Diploma in Gerontology;
• Gina Marshall is taking the CCA program;
• Tanya Musey is taking the Bachelor of Management in Human Resource Management;
• Lacy Paturel is taking the Novice Infection Prevention and Control course;
• Jessica Lynn is taking Foundations of Anatomical Acupuncture & Clinical Applications in Anatomical Acupuncture.

The Recipients of The Health Foundation’s Conference and Workshop awards are:

• Cosmin Coltea, taking Level One Theraplay and MIM;
• Loretta Erhardt who will be attending the IPAC Canada National Conference;
• Shalaine Kelly who will be taking the Physical Assessment Course;
• Sarah Lemieux is taking the Hanen – More than Words Certification Workshop;
• Michelle Lowton is taking Foundations of Anatomical Acupuncture & Clinical Applications;
• Charlene Thomas is taking the Physical Assessment course.

The Health Foundation is also providing $3,000 in funding for a two-day Workshop in Yorkton. The workshop will bring in trainers to provide specific education and skill training for LPNs and EMTs working within the former Sunrise Health Region.  The training will allow employees to stay current in nursing knowledge during traumas and life threatening incidents. These courses have not been previously provided in the area.

The courses are designed to prepare health professionals for a cardiac event & Pediatric Emergency Assessment Recognition and Stabilization. Staff from throughout the region will be able to participate in the workshop.

The Health Foundation is also providing $1,564 to purchase two of the Quik-Combo 12-lead Patient Simulators for training purposes. These simulators are necessary to continue teaching the ACLS (Advanced Cardio Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) recertification courses in Yorkton. The existing simulators are no longer working correctly.