BURSARIES
Paying it Forward
Annual bursaries are available through the Foundation
Through the Dr. Michelle Bailes Fund and Roberta’s Dream Bursary, the Portage District General Hospital Foundation is investing in the people who will continue to provide high-quality, innovative care for the community going forward. Application information is included below, as is an invitation to designate your donation to these funds.
Dr. Michelle Bailes Fund
The Portage District General Hospital Foundation is honored to have a fund in recognition of the late Dr. Michelle Bailes and her contributions to our community.
A highly respected member of the Portage medical community and a proud supporter of the PDGH Foundation, Dr. Bailes regularly attended the annual PDGH Gala and was very generous in purchasing auction items. She was highly respected by staff and was a strong advocate for her patients.
Dr. Bailes approached life with extraordinary enthusiasm. She was passionate about traveling the world to visit friends, exploring new places, and especially scuba diving in the South Pacific. She loved music, skiing, cooking, and entertaining friends and family at her home in Portage. A vibrant, vivacious, and loving person, she lived life to its fullest and completely embraced time spent with those she loved.
By donating to the Dr. Michelle Bailes Fund, you are both honoring Dr. Bailes and contributing to the work we undertake through the Portage District General Hospital Foundation. Your tax-deductible gift will support numerous initiatives.
The Dr. Michelle Bailes Fund will give out an annual bursary for a Portage District General Hospital staff or staff family member to participate in furthering their education in the healthcare field.
The Fund will assist in equipment purchases and support projects for the Portage District General Hospital.
The Portage Clinic will make an annual donation to the Fund to provide two $1,500 bursaries for graduating high school students – one in Portage la Prairie and one in the surrounding area, to further their education in science.
An auction prize will be dedicated each year at the PDGH Gala “in honor of Dr. Michelle Bailes” to recognize her contributions and to raise money for the Foundation.
If you would like to contribute to this fund, cheques can be made payable to “Dr. Michelle Bailes Fund” and sent to the Portage District General Hospital Foundation.
Dr. Michelle Bailes Bursary
Dr. Bailes Bursary continues legacy of Portage physician
Dr. Michelle Bailes had a fund dedicated to her legacy in Portage la Prairie for her work at the Portage Clinic and Hospital. Portage District General Hospital Foundation Executive Director Tara Pettinger says bursaries are provided through the fund every year, and this is the fifth year for them.
“One of them is via the Portage Clinic and goes to high school students. The other one is for employees of the clinic or the hospital, or connected to an employee. It’s just to allow them to continue their education. It’s been an amazing fund that really highlights Dr. Bailes’ Legacy. Dr. Bailes passed away in 2018. By 2019, we were already issuing bursaries to applicants.”…
Recipients: Joss Hordeski, Shelby Smith, Emily Gray, Alex Peters, Desiree Green. Missing: Devon Borody & Stefanie Simon
Over $74,000 given out to 29 bursary recipients since 2019
Dr. Michelle Bailes Fund recipients
2023
Devon Borody
Attending University British Columbia in the Faculty of Pharmacy.
Leah Killam
Stephanie Bates
Attending University of Manitoba Bachelor of Nursing.
Tessa Martin
Kieran Wood
Lourdes Sayson
Roberta’s Dream Bursary
Retired nurse and former Portage District General Hospital Foundation executive director Roberta Linette received financial assistance while pursuing her education. She now wishes to provide similar assistance to hospital staff and has established a bursary to be administered by the Portage District General Hospital Foundation.
All staff who are entering a health-related educational program at the university level are eligible for the bursary. They must be registered in a recognized Baccalaureate, Master’s, or Doctoral program at a recognized institution and have accumulated at least one year of full-time service at Portage District General Hospital.
Applications for Roberta’s Dream Bursary will be reviewed and approved by a committee comprised of:
A board-appointed representative of the Portage District General Hospital Foundation
An on-site representative of the Portage District General Hospital responsible for nursing services
A representative of the donor, or the donor herself
Aspiring applicants must submit their application in a sealed envelope addressed to:
Roberta’s Dream Bursary Committee
c/o Portage District General Hospital Foundation
524 5th Street SE
Portage la Prairie, MB
R1N 3A8
Roberta Dream Bursary
Recipients: Desiree Green, Alex Peters
Roberta’s Dream Bursary recipients
2023
Tessa Martin