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. She 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: BELAIR DIRECT NP 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: BELAIR DIRECT NP SCHOLARSHIP Joshua is a nurse practitioner student with a strong background in critical care, having worked in the CVICU at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. He is an ECMO specialist, mentor, and clinical educator, with additional experience in CCU, Neurosciences ICU, and General Systems ICU. 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 dedicated to advancing healthcare through research and practice.

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 Poliwick 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.