In 2024, over 240 Island Health Employees were awarded the Heather A. Simpson scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for any education upgrades within the healthcare field. To learn more about supporting education in our hospitals, click here.
Ilse Filan
Scholarship Recipient, Future Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Health Care Assistant, Mother, Human
I can’t think of a more rewarding career path than healthcare. I can truly say it’s my passion. I have worked as a health care assistant for the past 16 years and I’ve loved every moment. Everyday I get to help people and that brings me so much joy. Just knowing I can make even the smallest difference in someone’s life is an amazing feeling. My patients are so special to me. Over the past few years, I’ve worked in several units at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) and I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people, from the patients to my fellow nursing staff and the doctors. Everyone cares so much.
RJH is an amazing place where I’ve been able to watch people overcome hardships and adversity and leave the hospital healed.
I knew I truly wanted to pursue a career in healthcare after going through my own health struggles. I lost three children who were born prematurely. It was a very difficult period in my life, but I also believe it made me a stronger person. My fourth pregnancy was also difficult, but I managed to deliver a healthy baby. My daughter Zoey is now nine years old. She is my world and my inspiration. I believe she helped me heal so that I could help others. I have no doubt these experiences have made me a better and more compassionate caregiver.
“I knew I truly wanted to pursue a career in healthcare after going through my own health struggles.”
Last year, I decided to pursue the Practical Nursing Program at Camosun College. I wanted to gain new skills and eventually work my way up to becoming a Registered Nurse. I want to be able to do more to help my patients. Once I graduate, I’ll be able to assess patients, look after intravenous lines and administer medication, along with several other advanced tasks. I’ll also be able to help my fellow nurses. We are experiencing a nursing shortage right now in Victoria and whatever we can do to support our nurses is essential. My managers always share positive feedback and continually ask, ‘when are you going to become a nurse?’ I can finally say the time is now. They are all very supportive of my decision.
Helping lift someone up by supporting their education is the biggest gift you can give.
When I learned I would be a recipient of the Heather A. Simpson Scholarship I was extremely happy and so appreciative. So many people have educational dreams but are discouraged from pursing them because of the time commitment or fear of the debt they may take on, and student loans only go so far. To know there are donors out there who value me and want to support my education is amazing. It truly inspires me. It’s progress, generosity and giving back all in one. One day when I’m in a better situation, I hope to help someone in the same way.
“To know there are donors out there who value me and want to support my education is amazing. It truly inspires me.”
As a single parent the financial support means so much. Like many parents, I struggle with the feeling that I’m not doing enough for my daughter because when I’m not in school, I’m working – which leaves us little time together. But she knows I’m working to improve our lives and I know she’s proud of me even though it might be tough right now. This scholarship will also allow me to take the occasional day off from work and my studies to spend time with her, which is a wonderful gift.
I have found my happy place at RJH; there is so much good that happens here.
Healthcare is work that stays with you in your heart. It requires grace, sensitivity and a true dedication. I can’t wait to graduate and use my new skills as an LPN to start caring for more patients. I am grateful for the kindness shown by the donors who have made it possible for me to better myself and gain an education that will in turn benefit my community. They are investing in me— a student studying in the healthcare sector—and therefore investing in everyone’s future.
“Healthcare is work that stays with you in your heart. It requires grace, sensitivity and a true dedication.”
They are humans first, who put other humans first.
More than 8,900 caregivers and staff work around the clock in our Victoria Hospitals
#HumansFirst is dedicated to sharing the stories from behind our hospitals’ frontlines. These stories remind us that those who provide care and keep the lights on in our hospitals also have lives outside of them. They have family and friends, they enjoy hobbies and interests, and they have all lived through their own personal triumphs and heartbreaks. Like all of us, they are human, and they have a story to tell.
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