NHH Auxiliary honours student volunteer with Dixie Mikel Scholarship - Congratulations to Jacob Kim!
The Board of Directors of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary is pleased to announce that Jacob Kim—a longstanding student volunteer—has been selected as this year's recipient of the Dixie Mikel Scholarship in recognition of his 2024 volunteerism and commitment to Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH).
This scholarship was created in memory of the late Yvonne (Dixie) Mikel, wife of a prominent local physician, Dr. Don Mikel, and a long-time supporter of the Auxiliary at the former Cobourg hospital site. Mrs. Mikel is credited with founding the Student Auxiliary Volunteer program which continues to this day, in expanded form, at NHH.
Dixie Mikel Scholarships, in the amount of $1,250, are awarded annually by the NHH Auxiliary Board to a successful applicant(s) currently attending or who have been accepted to a university or college. Applicants must have accumulated a minimum of 80 volunteer hours at NHH and be attending or accepted to a post-secondary institution taking courses that lead to degrees in health sciences, nursing, medical research, or biotechnology.
The 2024 recipient is Jacob Kim, who has completed a remarkable 520 hours of volunteerism as a student, spanning five different departments throughout the hospital.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude (Distinction) in June 2023. In the fall of 2024, Jacob began the next step in his academic journey following acceptance at Trent University, where he is now pursuing a degree in Nursing (compressed program), a career path inspired by his volunteer experiences at NHH.
"The journey towards a career in nursing was not a straightforward one. It was a decision that was cultivated by the experiences developed through my time at NHH," Jacob wrote in his application letter. "I have had the privilege to be a small part in the healthcare journey of many, and through these interactions I have seen the impact nurses can have in providing compassionate and quality care. Ultimately, it is the culmination of all these experiences and lessons that have led me towards pursuing a career in nursing at a time where nurses are needed more than ever. I hope to build upon the lessons and experiences learned at NHH in order to provide exceptional quality care as a future registered nurse, with hopes of specializing in emergency nursing."
"Every year, we have the great pleasure of celebrating the exceptional contributions of student volunteers, while honouring the memory of Dixie Mikel and the rich spirit of volunteerism at NHH," said Selena Forsyth, President of NHH Auxiliary. "We are grateful to have the hospital’s support in continuing this tradition that recognizes our local youth and their passion to make a difference in their community. On behalf of the Board, I would like to offer our sincerest congratulations to Jacob and wish him the very best with his future studies."
The Dixie Mikel Scholarship is presented annually, generally in the late fall and early winter. Applications for consideration for the 2025 award are requested before July 30, 2025. For details on the Auxiliary Board’s scholarship opportunity and current volunteer opportunities, including application forms, please visit the Volunteers tab of the hospital website.