The Grimshaw Regional Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee (GRHARC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 GRHARC Healthcare Scholarship Program.
The annual scholarship, valued at $2,000 per recipient, provides financial support to six students pursuing healthcare or medical-related studies, with the goal of encouraging them to live and work in the region.
“We are thrilled to support these dedicated students as they take the next steps in their healthcare careers,” says Stacey Messner, GRHARC chairperson.
“Their passion for making a difference in northern communities is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will have in the future,” she adds.
The 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Charity Bettenson, M.D. of Peace. She is in her second and final year of the Practical Nursing Program at Northwestern Polytechnic in Fairview.
- Raegen Coen, Grimshaw. She is in her third year of the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Program at the University of Calgary.
- Susie Friesen, County of Northern Lights. She is in her first year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie.
- Jenna Terriff, Grimshaw. She is in her fourth and final year of the Bachelor of Nursing Program at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie.
- Hesslich Too-a-Foo, Grimshaw. He is in his first year of the Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Infection at the University of Alberta.
- Kieara Tucker, M.D. of Peace. She is in her second year of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at NAIT in Edmonton.
This year, 16 applications were received from students in various healthcare fields. To be eligible, applicants had to demonstrate residency in the town of Grimshaw, MD of Peace No. 135, village of Berwyn, or County of Northern Lights, provide proof of acceptance into a healthcare or medical program, and submit a 500-700 word essay outlining their commitment to serving in rural northern communities.
Funding for this three-year scholarship initiative is generously provided by the Town of Grimshaw, M.D. of Peace No. 135, Village of Berwyn, and County of Northern Lights.
“We are incredibly grateful to our municipal partners for recognizing the importance of investing in future healthcare professionals,” Messner says.
“Their commitment to this program is a direct investment in the health and well-being of our communities.”
For the past 15 years, GRHARC has worked to attract and retain healthcare professionals, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported as they establish their careers in the region.