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UNA awards 2025 annual nursing scholarships

By United Nurses of Alberta March 25, 2025 10:27
UNA Secretary-Treasurer Christina Doktor, UNA Local 121 member Marie Garces, UNA Scholarship recipient Jhilianne Garces, UNA President Heather Smith, and UNA Second Vice-President Karen Kuprys

Each year, United Nurses of Alberta awards up to 15 annual scholarship of $1,500 to nursing students from across the province as well as one Canadian Federation of Nurses Scholarship also worth $1,500.

Scholarship recipients must be in their first year of nursing studies in an approved Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse track program in Alberta and must also be related to a UNA member or associate member in good standing.

“UNA is always proud to support new students as they start their nursing education in post-secondary institutions across the province,” said UNA President Heather Smith. “We always encourage recipients of the UNA Nursing Education Scholarship to remain in Alberta as they advance through their careers.

Young nurses like those who receive the UNA scholarship are the reason UNA keeps up the fight for working conditions and incentives that are required to recruit and retain new generations of Alberta nurses, Smith added.

Each scholarship recipient must complete an application form and write a short essay answering the question, “Why is the PRC process important to Alberta Nurses?”

This year’s confirmed UNA Scholarship winners are:

  • Ivie Osunde sponsored by Sandra Osunde from Local 196 (Edmonton Zone Community)
  • Jhilianne Garces sponsored by Marie Garces from Local 121 (Rockyview General Hospital)
  • Evelyn Lippert sponsored by Melinda Lippert from Local 95 (Alberta Children's Hospital)
  • Mia St. Amant sponsored by Miranda Richer from Local 196 (Edmonton Zone Community)
  • Elise Magnus sponsored by Tannis Magnus from Local 33 (Royal Alexandra Hospital)
  • Brielle Kit sponsored by Nola Roder-Kit from Local 116 (McLennan Health Centre)
  • Duncan Kinney sponsored by Associate Member Ruth Heather 
  • Marissa Strickland sponsored by Wanda Strickland from Local 96 (Northern Lights Regional Health Centre)
  • Brielle Winchester sponsored by Shannon Winchester from Local 196 (Edmonton Zone Community)
  • Hillary Hinks sponsored by Kayla Thistle from Local 96 (Northern Lights Regional Health Centre)
  • Kendra Justice sponsored by Tracy Justice from Local 196 (Edmonton Zone Community)
  • Anna Scheetz sponsored by Sylvia Scheetz from Local 196 (Edmonton Zone Community)
  • Jordyn Reed sponsored by Megan Lachance from Local 33 (Royal Alexandra Hospital)

This year’s Canadian Federation of Nurses Union Scholarship winner is Suraya Said, who was sponsored by, Shukri Said, a member of Local 301 (University Hospital, Stollery Children's Hospital, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute & Kaye Edmonton Clinic).

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