One of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital’s dedicated Care Champions has been selected as the 2025/2026 recipient of “The County Guys Local Love Bursary.”



In a special presentation, The County Guys Real Estate Group and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation presented a $2,500 bursary to Sydney Porter, a registered practical nurse (RPN) in the Inpatient Unit at PECMH. Porter is set to begin the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) at Loyalist College in Spring 2026, while continuing to work at PECMH.

Created through a partnership between PECMH Foundation and The County Guys Real Estate Group, the bursary supports Quinte Health staff who are pursuing formal education that advances their healthcare careers. The funding helps offset expenses associated with continuing education — including tuition, textbooks, travel, parking, daycare, everyday living expenses, or loss of wages due to time away from work.

Porter was selected following a competitive review process based on demonstrated financial need, contributions to the workplace, and commitment to advancing healthcare delivery in Prince Edward County. In her application, Porter shared that financial support would allow her to continue working locally while pursuing her RN designation and expanding her clinical skills to better serve patients in the County.

A member of the Quinte Health team since 2021 and based at PECMH since 2023, Porter is recognized for her professionalism, collaborative spirit, and commitment to compassionate, patient-centred care. Letters of support from colleagues and physicians highlighted her clinical skill, strong work ethic, and dedication to lifelong learning.

“I am incredibly honoured to receive The County Guys Local Love Bursary,” said Porter. “Working at PECMH has truly felt like being part of a second family. This support will allow me to focus on my studies and continue growing within the organization, so I can better serve the patients and community I care so deeply about.”

Nursing is also a legacy in Porter’s family. Her mother, France Porter, recently retired as an RN from PECMH after 38 years of service. Sydney had the opportunity to work alongside her mother and describes following in her footsteps as both an honour and a powerful motivator as she works toward becoming an RN.

“The County Guys Local Love Bursary Fund is a meaningful way to support our hospital’s Care Champions as they pursue further education to reach their full potential,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “By investing in our team members, we are strengthening healthcare in Prince Edward County for years to come. Sydney’s passion for patient-centred care and her commitment to our community truly embody the spirit of this bursary.”

“The County Guys are proud to support healthcare professionals like Sydney who are investing in their education and in our community,” said Aleks Ninkovic and Dale Chapman, co-founders of The County Guys. “When we help offset financial barriers, we help create opportunities for dedicated individuals to expand their skills and continue serving locally.”

Established in 2023, The County Guys Local Love Bursary Fund is available to any permanent part-time or full-time employee at Quinte Health who primarily work at PECMH.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance exceptional healthcare close to home.