2025 Scholarship Recipients

Celebrating Achievement, Supporting the Future of Nursing and Health Care in Alberta

It all begins with nurses — the heart of healthcare. Their compassion, dedication, and commitment to learning guide them on a journey of growth, shaping not only their own futures but also the future of patient care. Through education and experience, they continue to strengthen their skills, deepen their compassion, and inspire us all as they become even better nurses for tomorrow

Stephanie Campbell: (Karen Polowick Scholarship) grew up on a farm in (east-Central) Alberta, raised by her grandparents. It was her grandmother who first taught her the meaning of care and compassion—lessons that would later shape her path as a nurse.After completing her first degree in biology, Stephanie felt called to do more. She entered nursing, and after graduating, took her skills across the world to Africa (Zambia), where she not only worked as a nurse meeting the needs of patients but also taught at an associated nursing program and lectured future nurses.Today, Stephanie lives on a ranch in Diamond Valley, Alberta, raising three boys and continuing her work in emergency and preventative care. At age 40, she made a huge decision to enter the NP Masters program where she brings wisdom, life experience, and heart to everything she does. Alongside her clinical work, Stephanie has served as a clinical tutor for nursing students at Mount Royal University and led the education program for her rural staff as a Clinical Nurse Educator at Oilfields General Hospital. Now pursuing her Master’s in the Nurse Practitioner program, Stephanie is set to graduate in 2026. Her goal? To make a lasting impact in Alberta’s rural communities—where NPs are needed most. We're proud to support nurses like Stephanie—rooted in community, driven by purpose, and shaping the future of healthcare.

Crystal Charbonneau: CWB Wealth Indigenous Health Scholarship. Crystal is a Nurse Practitioner student at Athabasca University and a full-time nurse manager in the First Nations community of Whitefish Lake (Goodfish Lake). With nearly two decades of diverse clinical experience—from ICU to public health—she brings a comprehensive, compassionate approach to care. Deeply committed to health equity, she has led transformative initiatives including in-community lab services and STBBI test-and-treat programs, improving access and outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her vision as a future Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is to deliver culturally sensitive, community-based care rooted in Indigenous teachings and traditions. By incorporating holistic models like the medicine wheel—which values the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of wellness—she strives to support long-term health and healing for Indigenous patients. Through advocacy and relationship-building, she continues to work toward closing gaps in care and advancing truth and reconciliation in healthcare across Alberta.

Anna Hackman: (belairdirect Nurse Practitioner Student Scholarship). Anna is a registered nurse at Misericordia NICU, currently pursuing advanced studies to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). With charge and resuscitation training, she works closely with NNPs and values their integral role in neonatal care. Passionate about patient advocacy, family-integrated care, and addressing social determinants of health, she strives to provide the highest standard of care to vulnerable neonates and their families. Drawing from her background in provincial policy, she embraces nursing leadership and mentorship, aiming to influence both clinical practice and healthcare policy. Her goal is to work as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, advancing neonatal care and improving outcomes for Albertans.

Joshua Gallup: (belairdirect NP student scholarship). Joshua Gallup is an accomplished nurse practitioner student with a strong background in critical care. After graduating from MacEwan University in 2014, he pursued a Master of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta, where his research focused on the spinal cord and mapping neurons related to movement. While he valued the academic experience, he felt the work lacked the practical, hands-on impact he was seeking. Driven to make a difference at the bedside and in the community, he graduated from the University of Alberta’s Nursing After Degree Program in 2019. He began working in the ICU immediately after graduation. Joshua’s career quickly flourished. At the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, he specialized in critical care, serving as an ECMO specialist, mentor, and assisting with clinical education. His experience spans the CVICU, CCU, Neurosciences ICU, and General Systems ICU, giving him a broad and deep perspective on patient care. Coming from a family of healthcare professionals—his Grandmother was a nurse, and his Mother continues to practice as a nurse—Joshua has always been inspired to combine compassion with excellence in practice. Now, as a Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner student, Joshua is building the clinical skills to complement his strong academic and research background. His thesis focuses on developing and validating a Cardiac Surgery Frailty Index to improve post-operative outcomes and guide interventions across Alberta. Passionate about rural health and primary care, he plans to pursue a PhD at the University of Alberta and continue his journey as a clinician-scientist, advancing healthcare through both research and practice. Joshua is an exceptional emerging leader, and we look forward to the impact he will continue to make in nursing, research, and patient care across Alberta and beyond.

Stephanie Milliken: (Karen Polowick Scholarship) Stephanie is a dedicated nurse, educator, and mother who brings remarkable heart and skill to her work—while raising a toddler and preparing to welcome twins! A U of A Nursing graduate, Stephanie began her career in rural care in Lamont, Alberta, where she developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges and rewards of serving rural communities. Her path has taken her through roles in neurosurgery, general systems ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic, IV therapy/ACC and clinical teaching at the U of A. Today, she’s part of the ER team at Strathcona community hospital, working part-time while completing her Nurse Practitioner education. Stephanie has a passion for pathophysiology, bedside support, diagnostic reasoning, and leadership. She is driven to address the real-world challenges nurses face every day, especially in underserved areas. Her commitment to advancing patient care—while balancing the demands of motherhood and graduate studies—is nothing short of inspiring.

Besy Chandray: (Karen Polowick Scholarship) Besy’s journey is a remarkable testament to perseverance, purpose, and heart. Originally from El Salvador, Besy immigrated to Canada many years ago in search of a better life for her family. She began her life in a new country working in housekeeping, all while raising her children and navigating the challenges of a new culture and language. Despite the obstacles, Besy always carried a deep sense that she was meant for more—something that would allow her to care for others on a deeper level. That calling led her to nursing. With courage and determination, Besy went back to school. It wasn’t easy balancing work, studies, and motherhood, but her resolve never wavered. After becoming a nurse, Besy worked her way up step by step, never turning away from a challenge. She served in many different units, gaining experience, wisdom, and resilience in every role she held. Each position taught her something new—about the system, about people, and about herself. Today, Besy is a respected hospital director and nurse leader. Her story inspires not only the nurses she mentors but also anyone who has ever dared to chase a dream. Known for her compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication, Besy is a teacher, a guide, and a role model for the next generation of healthcare professionals. She came from nothing, and through hard work, heart, and hope, she has flourished into someone truly extraordinary. Besy embodies what it means to lead with purpose—and her journey reminds us all that no dream is too far out of reach.

Devonne Brandys: (Karen Polowick Scholarship ) Coming from humble beginnings and overcoming a challenging childhood, Devonne built a remarkable path for herself — truly making something out of nothing. She earned her first degree in Political Science with a focus in Global Health at the University of Alberta and went on to work in public health research guiding clinical studies and developing best practice guidelines. Today, she’s focused on infectious diseases, working in infection Control while pursuing her NP program at the University of Saskatchewan @usasknursing . She is excited to be part of a profession dedicated to patient-centered care and driven to provide care to those most vulnerable. She hopes in this way she will help to make a positive difference in the world. Devonne is deeply committed to improving healthcare for all Albertans, with a special focus on expanding access and addressing barriers to care. With her compassion, determination, and leadership, we know she will make a lasting difference in the health and well-being of our communities.

Nicolle Carr: (Dr. Shannon Spenceley Lethbridge Legacy Scholarship) From the very start of her career, Nicolle C. has been a nurse with heart, determination, and an unwavering commitment to care. Nicolle began her nursing journey right out of high school at the University of Calgary, launching into a career that first took her into palliative care, medical-surgical nursing, and then public health. Life took her to Lethbridge, where Nicolle shifted her focus to raising her family — spending 15 years as a dedicated stay-at-home mom and even homeschooling her children. An incredible accomplishment on its own, but Nicolle’s passion for mental health and addictions never faded. When the time was right, she stepped back into the field with purpose, working as a registered nurse in Claresholm in addiction services. She then worked as a mental health therapist at Health Link, before moving into the role of Clinical Supervisor, and then Clinical Manager, supporting a team of addiction and mental health therapists and their clients across the province. Driven to make a meaningful difference, Nicolle earned her Master of Clinical Social Work and is now pursuing her Master of Nursing at the University of Lethbridge, focusing on nursing education, addiction and mental health. A certified psychiatric mental health nurse, Nicolle is a tireless advocate for mental health care, especially for increasing the number of registered nurses in this vital area. Today, she’s balancing graduate studies, her professional practice, and family— always going above and beyond to ensure the people and communities she serves get the best care possible. Her dedication, passion, and leadership are exactly what this legacy was meant to celebrate.

Daniel Stuart (Calgary Health Foundation Scholarship) For Daniel, the path to nursing was anything but conventional. Influenced by his mother, who worked as a nurse clinician for 35 years, Daniel always admired the compassion and skill that defined her career. But when it came time to choose his own path, he initially pursued a very different direction—earning a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, Daniel quickly realized engineering wasn’t the right fit. He began searching for a career that matched his passions and values, leading him to spend more than four years working with Lululemon and teaching yoga and fitness. During that time, he developed a love for health, wellness, and helping people—sparking the realization that nursing might be his true calling. Determined to follow this new path, Daniel completed the Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing Program in just two years, graduating in December 2020—right at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He began his career in coronary care, spending eight months at the CCU before being redeployed to support COVID care in the ICU. There, he worked as a secondary nurse in collaboration with staff ICU nurses who provided invaluable mentorship that helped shape his practice. Now working permanently in ICU, Daniel has found a specialty he deeply loves. The intensity, urgency, and collaboration of critical care fuel his “get it done” mindset and allow him to thrive under pressure. He is especially drawn to cardiology and inspired by the nurse practitioners he has worked alongside, who demonstrate the critical thinking and leadership he hopes to emulate in his own career. Daniel is currently pursuing graduate studies to become a nurse practitioner. He believes his strengths—staying calm in high-stress situations, making quick but informed decisions, and collaborating seamlessly with others—will help him excel in this advanced role. For Daniel, nursing brings together his passion for people, his love of challenge, and his desire to make a meaningful impact at the most critical moments in patients’ lives.

Shannon Wobschall (Gayle Hissett Memorial Scholarship) With 25 years of nursing experience, Shannon W has built a career rooted in compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment for supporting others. Currently based in the Mental Health and Addiction program with Recovery Alberta in Lethbridge - Shannon’s journey began after graduating from the Conjoint Nursing Program with the University of Calgary and Mount Royal College. Her career started as a staff nurse on the Inpatient Psychiatry unit of the Chinook Regional Hospital, where she continued to offer her expertise as a clinical nurse educator. She held many different positions along the way, working as a staff nurse for cadet camps with the Department of National Defense, Lethbridge Correctional Centre, and contract work at the Whitehorse General Hospital. Her passion for sharing knowledge led her to teach for the Lethbridge College in their RN and LPN programs. As a Clinical Nurse Educator for 10 years, Shannon became a trusted role model—welcoming countless new nurses, helping them feel confident in their abilities, and fostering a supportive learning environment. Honest, approachable, and deeply committed to mentoring, she has always believed in empowering the next generation of nurses. Today, Shannon continues her work as an educator for Recovery Alberta, concentrating on trauma-informed practice and care. She focuses not only on patient outcomes but also on staff well-being, recognizing that healthy, supported teams deliver the best care. Her leadership in e-simulation has helped prepare teams for real-world challenges, and she now pursues her Master of Nursing at the University of Lethbridge. With her depth of experience, ongoing research, and unwavering passion, Shannon will continue to be an incredible asset to Recovery Alberta.

Mindy Helsch Sisters of Service Scholarship Mindy began her nursing journey at Mount Royal University, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. As a generalist, she worked across many areas including emergency, labour and delivery, and acute care at the Rocky Mountain House Hospital. She also shared her knowledge with the next generation of nurses by mentoring and teaching students. Through her experience, Mindy noticed the important role nurse practitioners play in providing care—particularly in rural communities where resources are limited. Inspired to make an even greater impact, she pursued further studies at the University of Saskatchewan, enrolling in the Nurse Practitioner program. Mindy believes that nurse practitioners are vital to ensuring rural populations receive equitable care, and she is passionate about working with people holistically—considering the life factors that influence health and striving to provide the best care possible. Today, Mindy works at the Cochrane Community Health Centre in public health and postpartum services, where she continues to make a difference through her dedication and compassion. She is recognized as an outstanding nurse, and Alberta is proud to have her serving its communities.

Adrianna Rudderham Diane Davidson Memorial Scholarship Originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Adrianna R brought her East Coast heart and work ethic to Alberta almost 10 years ago — and she’s been making an impact ever since. After graduating as highest aggregate in her nursing class in 2016, Adrianna wasted no time advancing her career. She pursued her Master of Nursing at Athabasca University, fueling her passion for mental health and community care. By August of 2017, she had taken on a Nursing Instructor role at Keyano College, further deepening her expertise with mental health studies and a growing focus on psychiatry. Today, Adrianna works with the Fort McMurray Opioid Dependency Program through Recovery Alberta, where she provides critical support to people battling substance use. Her work is deeply personal and driven by a vision for change — especially when it comes to creating culturally safe care for Indigenous clients. Now working toward her Doctorate in Education, with a focus on Educational Leadership, Adrianna is dedicated to helping frontline healthcare providers become better equipped to deliver respectful, culturally safe care, starting from the very first point of contact. We are proud to support Adrianna on her incredible journey. Her commitment to advancing mental health care and cultural safety is shaping a better future for patients and healthcare teams alike.

Brittany Hollett Patricia Walker Scholarship. Brittany started her nursing career in British Columbia and has since built an impressive and inspiring career over multiple provinces, calling Alberta home for the past ten years. She remains deeply committed to improving patient care and advancing the nursing profession. Brittany has spent the majority of her career in the adult and pediatric ICU, where she discovered her passion for making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. She also spent time running the adult ECMO program before transitioning to an ECLS Primer role at the Stollery Children’s Hospital –  an experience she truly loved. Transitioning into a management role was a significant change for Brittany. Through this journey, she gained valuable insight into Alberta’s healthcare system and quickly recognized the disconnect between system-level decision-making and the realities of delivering patient care on the front line. Motivated to bridge that gap, she became a strong advocate for accountability in leadership and for developing national benchmarks that would standardize patient outcomes between provinces. ARNET is proud to have supported Brittany in both her Master of Nursing degree and now her MBA. While her research in her Master of Nursing degree explored how nurses can better support parents facing the end-of-life of a child in the pediatric ICU, her MBA thesis similarly identified areas for improvement in the broader healthcare system and presented tangible solutions for improvement. Having worked in multiple tertiary ICUs and now in a rural Emergency Department, Brittany has witnessed the stark contrast in resources and how these can profoundly affect patient outcomes. Her MBA thesis focused on highlighting the underlying reasons for longer wait times, improving access to healthcare in Indigenous and rural communities, and helping create a system where every patient in Alberta receives the same high standard of care — no matter where they live. Alberta is fortunate to have a dedicated nurse leader like Brittany — someone who is driving innovation, championing collaboration, and striving to make healthcare better for everyone. When she’s not busy improving the healthcare system, Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband and their beloved dog, Ecmo.