The Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary is recognizing two local student volunteers for their commitment to the hospital and their future studies in the sciences.
Kaleigh Harper and Sydney Pipe have been selected as the recipients of the Auxiliary’s 2026 Dixie Mikel Scholarships. Each student will receive $1,250.
The scholarships are awarded annually to student volunteers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to Northumberland Hills Hospital and are pursuing post-secondary education in fields including health sciences, nursing, medical research or biotechnology. Applicants must also have completed at least 80 volunteer hours at the hospital.
Harper, a recent graduate of Cobourg Collegiate Institute, will begin her first year at Queen’s University this fall, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. Since becoming an NHH volunteer in 2025, she has completed 101 hours of service in areas including Day Surgery and Palliative Care, while also supporting the Hospital Elder Life Program.
Her volunteer experience at NHH helped inspire her interest in pursuing a future career in nursing.
Pipe is entering her fourth year at Queen’s University, where she is studying Life Sciences and was recently named to the Dean’s List. She began volunteering at NHH in 2024 and has contributed 93 hours through the Hospital Elder Life Program.
Her volunteer work also includes time spent supporting residents at Providence Manor Retirement in Kingston and volunteering with the Alzheimer Society.
The scholarship is named in memory of Yvonne “Dixie” Mikel, a longtime supporter of the hospital Auxiliary who helped establish the Student Auxiliary Volunteer program.
Applications for the 2027 Dixie Mikel Scholarships are due before July 30, 2027. More information about the scholarship and volunteer opportunities is available through Northumberland Hills Hospital’s Auxiliary page
