It feels like award season at the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). And for good reason.

Recently, in partnership with The County Guys Real Estate Group, the foundation launched a bursary for hospital employees pursuing education that will benefit health care, who are motivated to help and heal others, and who are passionate about nurturing a healthy quality of life in Prince Edward County.

The County Guys Local Love Bursary is available to permanent part-time or full-time employees of Quinte Health, whose home site is Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. It is open to any staff member working at the hospital, regardless of position.

The bursary must help with expenses incurred by participating in a formal learning program. Examples include, but are not limited to, tuition, textbooks, travel, parking, daycare, everyday living expenses or helping to offset loss of wages due to time away from work.

In a special presentation held on February 29, The County Guys Real Estate Group, and representatives from PECMHF presented an inaugural $2,500 bursary to Mikayla Williams-Mills, a Registered Practical Nurse at PECMH. Mikayla is completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) at Nipissing University.

Our selection committee chose Mikayla out of six strong applicants because of her commitment and dedication to caring for her patients, positively influencing her colleagues, and giving back to our County hospital.



The first in her family to graduate from college, Mikayla started her career in healthcare as a personal support worker and an activity aide at a local nursing home while pursuing her registered practical nurse diploma. She has worked with Quinte Health since 2019. In addition to nursing in the inpatient and ER departments, she holds casual positions in the Endoscopy Unit and the Lumps and Bumps outpatient clinic.

The County Guys decided to fund this bursary as a meaningful way to support our hospital’s incredible Care Champions. Investing in their education costs helps our staff achieve their goals and incentivizes them to stay here and work in our community. The County Guys' willingness to fund this bursary will open doors to opportunities for our Care Champions to reach their full potential while helping us keep an excellent healthcare system close to home. We can’t wait to follow Mikayla on her journey to becoming a Registered Nurse.

On the thread of award season, PECMHF has opened nominations for this year’s Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award.

Two years ago, the foundation launched the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award (LFDSA) at an event held at Picton’s Regent Theatre on March 31, 2022.

The award aims to recognize special people and organizations who impact our County hospital through their exceptional volunteerism.

Leo was chosen to be recognized for the inaugural award because of his commitment and influential leadership to the hospital foundation and other organizations in Prince Edward County.

In 2023, PECMHF was proud to award the second annual LFDSA to Sue Law, a volunteer with the hospital auxiliary.

The LFDSA is intended to reflect the ongoing commitment, outstanding contributions, and service that support the foundation’s mission to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

Nominations for this award are open for any volunteer or organization that exemplifies the standards set by Leo and Sue.

This prestigious award will be presented to individuals or organizations who, through their ongoing loyalty, commitment, outstanding contribution, and service, have shown dedication to and support for the foundation and its vision, mission, strategic imperatives, and priorities.

The recipient of this award will demonstrate characteristics like:

o Sustained leadership resulting in having an impact on the health and well-being of the people of PEC through volunteer service associated with PECMHF;

o Participation in activities or events that have enhanced the reputation and brand of PECMHF;

o Strength of commitment;

o Contributions to the foundation’s success.

The accomplishments of a nominee can include philanthropic leadership, organizational leadership, community support development, fundraising, stewardship of donors and public awareness efforts that contribute to the health of the people of Prince Edward County.

If you know someone worthy of receiving this year’s Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award, we invite you to submit a nomination. The application is open until Friday, April 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

Nomination forms and criteria are available by visiting https://www.pecmhf.ca/distinguished-service-award. Forms are also available for pickup from the foundation office at the main entrance of PECMH.

For information about the LFDSA, call 613-476-1008 ext. 4507 or email us at info@pecmhf.ca.