First bursary honours hospital employee working toward nursing degree

Pictured presenting Mikayla Williams-Mills (centre) with the inaugural County Guys Local Love Bursary, from left, are: Dale Chapman, founder of The County Guys Real Estate Group; Mikayla Williams-Mills, bursary recipient; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; and Aleks Ninkovic, founder of The County Guys Real Estate Group. Arda Sahin, James Media Co. photo

CHEERS! to Mikayla Williams-Mills, a Demorestville resident who works at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital as a Registered Practical Nurse. She has received the first $2,500 bursary from a new partnership between the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and County Guys Real Estate Group.

The partnership is to provide an annual bursary for Quinte Health 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.

Williams-Mills is working on both the inpatient unit and in the emergency department and is also completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) at Nipissing University while working at the County’s hospital. She is on track to graduate with her degree in 2027.

She was chosen to be recognized for the inaugural bursary award because of her commitment and dedication to caring for her patients, being a positive influence on her colleagues, and giving back to her County hospital.

She is the first in her family to graduate from college, started her career in health care as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) and an activity aide at a local nursing home while pursuing her education as a Registered Practical Nurse. 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 outpatient lumps and bumps clinic.

This spring, she will also mentor a Loyalist College nursing student in addition to juggling full-time hours and completing her education online.

She says she is honoured to receive the bursary.

“This bursary will assist me financially in continuing my education to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree,” said Williams-Mills. “Receiving this bursary will help take some financial burden off my shoulders as I continue to serve our rural community and vulnerable population while expanding my education, critical thinking and skills.”

As funds are available, PECMHF will offer at least one annual bursary valued at a minimum of $2,500.

The County Guys Team looks forward to continuing to raise funds for next year’s bursary at this year’s Chuck-A-Puck fundraiser, which will be held on Saturday, March 9, at the Wellington and District Community Centre from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.