Allied Health Bursaries

Lakeridge Health Foundation’s commitment to the development of our medical professionals took an exciting step forward in 2022.

During Lakeridge Health’s annual Interprofessional Practice Week in September, thanks to the kindness of our donors, the first Allied Health Bursary for allied health clinicians was announced. The bursary supports advancing clinical practice through education for any team member whose health profession is distinct from medicine or nursing.

Allied health professionals include physiotherapists, dieticians, speech-language pathologists, and other specialized support staff. Each plays a role in making sure the best health care is available to Durham Region.

The bursary was awarded to 10 recipients who were announced in February of this year.

“It’s very important to feel supported in my professional development. It helps me feel valued in my role,” explained Joanne Boyle, an Occupational Therapist at our Oshawa Hospital. “It’s good to feel that Lakeridge Health values my contribution enough to invest in my professional growth. I want to be able to bring a wider set of skills to the table when I work with my clients and their families.”

Joanne took an online course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through Wilfrid Laurier University. She believes that the skills she was able to develop will enhance her relationship with her patients.

The recipients agree that this investment is very encouraging and provides a helping hand to the costs of advancing their careers.

“Feeling supported with my education promotes my curiosity and helps me to grow as a health care worker and as a teammate to my colleagues,” said Jennifer Steininger, a Radiation Technologist in Diagnostic Imaging.
 
Steininger, who is currently studying at Ontario Tech University and pursuing an Advanced Bachelor of Allied Health Sciences, acknowledges that an added benefit is reducing the financial stress for those interested in furthering their education. “As the cost of living increases, having financial support from outside the home helps to ensure that we can attend the courses that help us grow and become leading healthcare providers.”

Cara Coghlan, a Registered Physiotherapist at Lakeridge Health Oshawa’s Ambulatory Clinic, recognizes that it’s important to feel supported in her development. She put her funding towards a course in Preventing Chronic Low Back Pain and Chronic Disability.

“One of my career goals is to increase my professional knowledge and training. This course helped me achieve this by reviewing the updated best practice guidelines for assessing and treating patients with acute and chronic low back pain,” Coughlan said. “The course taught me innovative exercises and psychosocial approaches to reduce chronic pain. Since the course, I have used these techniques in my practice at Lakeridge Health in our outpatient clinic.”

Congratulations to the 10 allied health team members from our Oshawa and Whitby Hospitals who received bursary funding toward discipline-related courses or conferences.

Cara Coghlan, Physiotherapist, ARC
Gagandeep Mann, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Pathology
Heather Tysick, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Core Lab
Joanne Boyle, Occupational Therapist, Health Aging
Jennifer Steininger, Medical Radiation Technologist, Diagnostic Imaging
Stacey Cervini, Medical Radiation Technologist, Radiation Technology
Sadie Gallant, Medical Radiation Technologist, Diagnostic Imaging
Sara Praetorius, Medical Radiation Technologist, Microbiology
Tanya Bigg, Medical Radiation Technologist, Radiation Therapy
Wajiha Ahmed, Medical Radiation Technologist, Diagnostic Imaging – Nuclear