This year's Dixie Mikel Scholarships have been awarded to two young Northumberland Hills Hospital volunteers

Photo courtesy of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation.

By: Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News

Cobourg

Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary is pleased to announce Isabella Leon and Vikaash Angusami Subasri as this year's recipients of the Dixie Mikel Scholarship in recognition of their volunteerism and commitment to NHH.

Yvonne (Dixie) Mikel was the wife of prominent local physician Dr. Don Mikel and a long-time auxiliary supporter at the former Cobourg site. She is credited with founding the Student Auxiliary Volunteer program, which continues to this day in expanded form.

Dixie Mikel Scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each are awarded annually by the Auxiliary board to exception student volunteers currently attending or accepted to a university or college. Applicants must have accumulated at least 80 volunteer hours and be taking courses that lead to degrees in health sciences, nursing, medical research or biotechnology.

Both of this year's recipients are from Cobourg.

Isabella, who joined the Auxiliary in August 2023, has been a dedicated volunteer in the hospital's Cancer and Supportive Care Unit.

Her decision to volunteer in a hospital environment was inspired by her own experiences as a patient, as well as those of a close relative.

“The culminating effects of our experiences in the health-care system have reshaped my outlook on life completely,” she wrote in her application letter.

“For the first time in my life, I began to consider studying life sciences, with the goal of working in the field of health care. This decision led me to volunteer at Northumberland Hills Hospital in the cancer care unit.

“My time here has confirmed my passion for health care and working with patients. It has been an absolute honour to learn from nurses, volunteers, clerks and doctors in the unit, and a privilege to build relationships with patients receiving care.”

This fall, Isabella will be entering the final year of her undergraduate studies, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Following the completion of her undergraduate studies, she aspires to further her education in life sciences with a master's degree.

Vikaash began his volunteer journey at NHH in December 2023 as a member of the hydration team on 1A/1B Post Acute Specialty Services, and later expanded his volunteer engagement by also joining the Hospital Elder Life Program.

His interest in health care can be attributed to his parents, who both have worked in a hospital environment.

“Some of my earliest memories are of waiting after school at a hospital where my parents worked,” he said in his application letter.

“Volunteering has not only taught me how a hospital runs, but also helped me grow personally. With most of my family overseas, conversing with people of an older demographic is rare.

“I built confidence through volunteering at NHH. Twice a week, I learned to be comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone and ended up building many friendships.”

This fall, Vikaash begins his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences with future aspirations to become a Registered Nurse and, eventually, a Nurse Practitioner.

“The Dixie Mikel Scholarship has become a testament to the dedication, commitment and contributions of our student volunteers,” Auxiliary President Rick Riley said.

“Awarding these scholarships each year is a tradition that allows us to honour the memory of Dixie Mikel while celebrating the vibrant spirit of volunteerism at NHH.

“Today's students are tomorrow's health-care professionals, and we are very pleased to play a small part in encouraging their interest,” Riley said, offering the auxiliary's congratulations and best wishes to this year's winners.

The Dixie Mikel Scholarship is presented annually. Applications for consideration for the 2026 award must be submitted before July 30.

For details on this scholarship opportunity and current volunteer opportunities – including application forms – visit the Volunteers tab at the hospital website.