DALE SHUTT – LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHAWVILLE – On April 26, Alan Dean, Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation vice-president and Nicole Boucher- Lariviére, health network coordinator, revealed details about a new bursary for Pontiac nursing students.

The MacLachlan Family Bursary has an envelope of $100,000 to help nursing students achieve their education goals. Accepted students will receive $5,000 for each academic year in full-time studies and $2,500 for part-time.

The bursary is funded by William MacLachlan Jr., his wife Inga Gusarova, and sisters Dre Carol Richardson and Janice Bukle. Recognizing that tuition and lodging are often difficult for Pontiac families, the bursary’s goal is to help and encourage local nursing students. The family has indicated that future bursaries may be available.

Interested students can contact the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation. They must submit a cover letter (max 500 words) explaining why they should be selected, their reasons for applying, and their desire to pursue a career in a rural area, preferably the Pontiac. They must also submit a copy of their most recent academic transcript or a letter of attestation confirming they’re on track to successfully complete their program as well as proof of full-time or part-time enrollment in a nursing education program in Québec or Ontario for the next year. Students already enrolled who have not finished their nursing studies can also apply.

Students are guaranteed work at the Pontiac Community Hospital or the CLSC in Mansfield during their studies and summer vacations. After graduation, they must agree to work one year in the Pontiac for every year they’ve received a bursary. 

Photo – Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation Vice-President Alan Dean and Health Network Coordinator Nicole Boucher-Lariviére introduced a new nursing bursary on April 26. (DS)