• Applicants must have been employed at Mackenzie Health for at least 1-year full time (or 1,950 hours part time) prior to applying for a Bursary
• Bursary funds may be used for tuition fees in an academic program, or conference/course fees
• The course/conference must occur within the current calendar year for your application to be considered
• Successful applicants are eligible to receive an award only once

How Can I Apply?

Applications are now open - click here to apply
Applications will close on May 15th by 11:59 p.m.

Who do I contact if I have a question?

All questions can be emailed to Professional Practice at professionalpractice.education@mackenziehealth.ca

How Will Applications Be Reviewed?

A Bursary Review Panel will be convened to review and award the bursaries. The successful recipient(s) will be notified by Professional Practice and Education via email. Mackenzie Health and Mackenzie Health Foundation will host a bursary celebration awards ceremony this year in the Fall and more information will be shared with recipients.
The awarded bursary will be paid directly to the successful applicant upon submission of eligible receipts and proof of program/conference/course completion.

The Allison Zeppieri Endowment Fund was established in memory of Allison Zeppieri, a charismatic young woman with extraordinary potential who was deeply cherished by family and friends. To honour her life in perpetuity, the endowed fund will award an educational bursary to nurse(s) or allied health professional(s) of Mackenzie Health’s Mental Health program to support the advancement of their clinical skills and implementation of best practices for better patient outcomes.

The Zeppieri Family is dedicated to supporting exceptional, compassionate and patient-centered care for all patients with a mental health focus in their community. The Zeppieri Family trusts their support of continuous and high-quality learning will both celebrate Allison’s life and have a meaningful impact.

Eligibility

The Allison Zeppieri Endowment Fund is designed to support any regulated health care professional to enhance their knowledge and skills in applying evidence-based practice.   

• Applicants must work in the Mental Health Program

Amount to be Awarded

The bursary will be awarded to four (4) individuals, each to receive $500 (consider two at $1,000 if low submission)

Criteria for Selection

All Allison Zeppieri Endowment Fund applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Applicant’s specific interest in continued education focused on mental health
• How the conference or program will assist with mental health practice to improve clinical skills and/or implement best practices
• How the conference or program will benefit patient-centered care

CIBC has generously made a $1 million pledge to the Ultimate fundraising campaign with a focus on cancer care. Most of the grant will support our capital campaign, but CIBC also shows their support for cancer care in other ways, too. They plan on putting a fireplace in the Surgical Unit Reception & Family Lounge Waiting area at the new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and will fund the nourishment snack cart for the Chemotherapy Clinic at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. CIBC will fund an annual Bursary of $500 from 2020-26 that will be awarded to a nurse or allied health professional caring for patients with cancer.

Amount to be Awarded

The $500 Bursary will be awarded annually to one (1) Regulated health care professional.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the CIBC Bursary Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as an interprofessional; and
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

The District Stroke for Education Bursary is designed to support staff who are committed to providing exceptional stroke care at Mackenzie Health. Recognized as part of the Ontario Stroke System and the only designated stroke centre in the Central LHIN, Mackenzie Health is responsible for advancing stroke care and clinical best practices across western York Region and beyond.

The Sorbara District Stroke Centre for York Region, located at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, provides rapid assessment and treatment for stroke patients, reducing their risk of another stroke and getting them home and back to the best quality of life possible.

The District Stroke for Education Bursary will provide financial support to staff interested in advancing their practice in Mackenzie Health’s award-winning stroke care program through continuing education and enhancing care for patients at risk of or who have experienced a stroke. District Stroke for Education Bursaries will be awarded to interprofessional team members to allow them to attend a conference or course where the focus is on best practices across the continuum of stroke care.

Eligibility

The District Stroke for Education Bursary Award is designed to support the Sorbara District Stroke Centre for York Region’s mission to advance stroke care and clinical best practices.   

• The funds may be used for tuition fees in a stroke related academic program or conference/course fees in the upcoming 24 months. Travel expenses related to attending the conference/course may be covered in part.
• The course/conference must occur within July 2023 - July 2025 for your application to be considered

Amount to be Awarded

One (1) $500 Bursary, four (4) $400 Bursaries and two (2) $250 Bursaries will be awarded to healthcare professionals.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the District Stroke for Education Bursary Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• A health care professional who has worked part time or full time as a team member at Mackenzie Health for a minimum of one year
• Manager endorsement
• Demonstrated commitment to professional activities, for example: Mackenzie Health committee membership
• Attendance at previous stroke related education
• The program/conference/course focuses on enhancing care for patients at risk of stroke or for patients with stroke
• Commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

The Lim-Lambie Interprofessional Leadership Bursary was established by Fay Lim-Lambie, Chair of Mackenzie Health Board of Directors.  Fay, a long-time resident of York Region, has been a member of the Mackenzie Health Board of Directors since 2016 and has helped guide the organization through periods of incredible growth and change, including its most recent transformation to a two-hospital system supported by a network of community-based services. 

Fay has always been committed to quality and excellence in all learning experiences.  As Dean of the Centre for Health Sciences and the Centre for Community Services & Early Childhood at Humber College, she is responsible for ensuring graduates are supported and prepared to meet entrance-to-practice requirements in their sectors.

The Lim-Lambie Interprofessional Leadership Bursary is designed to ensure Mackenzie Health clinical staff have opportunities to advance their skills and learn best practices to support better outcomes for their patients.

Amount to be Awarded

The $500 Bursary will be awarded annually to eight (8) Regulated health care professionals.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Lim-Lambie Interprofessional Leadership Bursary will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as an interprofessional; and
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

As a way to honour Jean Doig’s commitment, contribution and dedication to nursing, her friends established the Jean Doig Nursing Education Fund in 1975, shortly after Jean’s death.

In 1961, Jean graduated from Toronto East General and started the next chapter of her career at Mackenzie Health. Jean was hired as a staff nurse on the 4^th floor when Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital (formerly York General Hospital) first opened and was shortly promoted to Assistant Head Nurse. After being promoted, she held a variety of positions in departments such as Obstetrics and Occupational Health and Safety. 

Originally, the Jean Doig Nursing Education Fund was used to sponsor an annual educational program for nursing department staff. To meet more specific needs, the use of the funds was changed by providing nurses with bursaries to certify in their specialty. Through the generous donations received from our patients and the community, this fund continues to provide recognition and support to the nurses at Mackenzie Health.

Eligibility

Each year through the generosity of the community, several nurses are awarded bursaries to put towards completion of a nursing degree or certification course.

• The bursary must be used for the completion of a nursing degree or nursing certification course offered by an academic institution
• New Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) specialty certification may be considered

*Please note: CNA Recertification applicants will not be eligible

Amount to be Awarded

• The amount awarded will vary depending on the number of bursaries given, up to the total amount of $2,000.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Jean Doig Nursing Education Fund Bursary will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/course focuses on knowledge or skill development
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

*Please note: If application is for CNA certification, applicant must attach a copy of the payment receipt and the letter from CNA indicating successful certification

Kathleen Heslin was the Chief Nurse Executive and Chief Practice Officer at Mackenzie Health from 2006 to 2009. Kathleen exemplified outstanding and innovative leadership qualities. She consistently developed processes with health professionals to foster knowledge, build skills and develop the attitudes necessary for current and future health professionals to work in collaborative practices. To support this vision for Mackenzie Health, she successfully secured Mackenzie Health as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) candidacy through the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The award positioned nurses and other interprofessionals to focus on impacting patient care by supporting knowledge-based practice through the implementation, evaluation and dissemination of best practice guidelines. Through her executive leadership, Kathleen has the distinct honour of being the only Chief Nurse Executive in the province of Ontario to have successfully led two organizations to receive the BPSO status.

Amount to be Awarded

The $500 Bursary will be awarded annually to one (1) Regulated health care professional.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Kathleen Heslin Interprofessional Bursary Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as an interprofessional; and
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

Kathy Anne Warner was a Registered Nurse and team leader in the Emergency Department at Mackenzie Health from the time she graduated in 1972 until her untimely passing in 2009. She was the longest serving nurse in the department’s history. Kathy was widely admired by her peers, physicians, and her patients for her compassion, professionalism and dedication to the highest level of patient care.

She held those around her to these same high standards and always put the interests of her patients first. In the words of her colleagues, she was strong, caring and compassionate; a teacher and friend; and a dedicated, dynamic leader. Kathy was committed to constantly upgrading and improving her skills and always felt she was a better nurse as a result. She encouraged her peers to do the same.

The Kathy Anne Warner, RN Memorial Bursary was established by her family to honour her love of her profession and her commitment to being a great emergency department nurse. The bursary is a tribute to her never-ending enthusiasm and commitment to learn and be re-vitalized as a nurse.

Eligibility

The Kathy Anne Warner, RN Memorial Bursary is designed to support registered nurses to enhance their knowledge and skills in the care of patients requiring emergency care.   

• Applicants must have been a nurse for at least 1 ½ years full time (or 3,000 hours part time) at the Nick and Rosanne Cortellucci Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital or Magna Emergency Department at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.

Amount to be Awarded

The bursary will be awarded to one (1) nurse ($1,000) or two (2) nurses ($500 each) working in the Nick and Rosanne Cortellucci Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital or Magna Emergency Department at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Kathy Anne Warner, RN Memorial Bursary will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on the nurse enhancing their knowledge and/or skill as an Emergency Department nurse
• Applicants are required to submit a 200-word essay on “What I love about being an Emergency Department nurse”, to be attached with application
• The recipient will exhibit the skills for which Kathy Anne Warner was admired for including demonstrated leadership, caring, compassion, dedication, enthusiasm and a passion for teaching and mentoring
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learnings with colleagues

Established in memory of Mahyar Moridi, the son of former Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi and his wife Pari Moridi, the bursary is designated to support the professional education and development of a nurse or allied health professional at Mackenzie Health. The Moridi Family is dedicated to the advancement of health care in our community through innovation, education and research.

Amount to be Awarded

Two (2) bursaries valued at $300 each will be awarded annually to regulated health professionals who provide direct patient care.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Mahyar Moridi Endowment Fund Bursary Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as a Regulated health care professional; and
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

The Pedram Yahyavi Bursary was established by Mackenzie Health physician, Dr. Pooneh Yahyavi in memory of her brother Pedram Yahyavi. Pedram received exemplary care at Mackenzie Health but unfortunately passed away from cancer. To honour his life, the bursary will provide support to regulated health care professionals who provide direct care to advance their skills and learn best practices to support better outcomes for their patients.

Eligibility

This bursary award is designed to support any regulated health care professional to enhance their knowledge and skills in applying evidenced based practice.   

• Applicants must work in Emergency, Medicine and/or Palliative Care

Amount to be Awarded

Two (2) $750 educational bursaries to nurse(s) or allied health professional(s).

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Pedram Yahyavi Bursary Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as an interprofessional
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

Applicant must be point-of-care staff and through their application demonstrate patient centered care.

The William F. Bell Endowment Fund Bursary was established in 2013 to celebrate the late William F. Bell, former Mayor of the Town of Richmond Hill, for his dedication to his community, friends and family. The William F. Bell Endowment Fund Bursary will be awarded annually to a nurse or allied health professional in the Mackenzie Health Critical Care or Nephrology Units to fund enhanced learning opportunities in their clinical field.  Endowment funds like this one enable Mackenzie Health and the Mackenzie Health Foundation to invest in health care initiatives that have a far-reaching impact on future generations.

The late William F. Bell was well known for his support of Mackenzie Health, serving on the Hospital’s Board of Directors for 20 years. Under his guidance, the Town of Richmond Hill was able to generously provide $10,000,000 in support of the hospital’s Town of Richmond Hill Wing, now known as D-Wing at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. He is remembered for his generosity and commitment to the hospital. William F. Bell’s legacy lives on through the support of his friends and family.

Eligibility

The William F. Bell Endowment Fund bursary will be awarded to a nurse or allied health professional in the Mackenzie Health Critical Care or Nephrology Units to fund enhanced learning opportunities in their clinical field. 

• Regulated health care professionals who are part time or full time Mackenzie Health employees

Amount to be Awarded

• The Bursary will be awarded $300 annually to one (1) Regulated health care professional

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the William F. Bell Endowment Fund Bursary will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as an interprofessional; and
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues

The Yau Family Bursary was established by Dr. Matilda Ng, an oncologist at Mackenzie Health. Through the Yau Family Bursary Award, Dr. Ng invests in a culture of continuous learning and professional development here at Mackenzie Health.

The Yau Family Bursary will provide continuing education support for nursing, pharmacist and/or allied health professional(s) caring for patients on their cancer care journey.

Eligibility

The Yau Family Bursary Award is designed to support regulated health care professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in applying evidenced-based practice for patients on chemotherapy.

• Nursing, pharmacist and/or allied health professional staff working in the Oncology program
• Experienced with administering chemotherapy and directly responsible for providing care to inpatient or ambulatory chemotherapy patients through the Ruth and Stewart Coxford & Family Chemotherapy and Medical Day Unit at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
• Eligibility is also extended to nurses contributing to the cancer continuum of care through the John and Josie Watson Breast Health Centre at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
• All applicants must be point-of-care staff and, through their application, demonstrate patient-centered care

Amount to be Awarded

Two (2) bursaries will be awarded in the amount of $2,125 each.

Criteria for Selection

All applicants for the Yau Family Bursary Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Program/conference/course focuses on knowledge or skill development as an interprofessional; and
• Applicant’s commitment to sharing their learning with colleagues