2025 HSHS Awards

Award: Allied Health & Technologies – Student “Grit” Award

Recipient: Matteo Blecic

Comments: Throughout his time in the program, Matteo has shown remarkable resilience and determination in pursuing their educational goals. No matter the obstacles, he faced each challenge with a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering focus on their future. Even more inspiring is the way this student has engaged with their peers and instructors. Matteo has contributed to our learning environment with kindness, encouragement, and a spirit of collaboration that lifts up those around him.

Please join me in congratulating Matteo Blecic, a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Award: Allied Health & Technologies – Student “Grit” Award

Recipient: Naz Aygit

Comments: Naz has demonstrated incredible determination and commitment during her time in the CMLA program. Naz has an awesome work ethic, an inquisitive nature with unique perspectives, and a positive attitude that benefits any classroom. We greatly value all of her classroom contributions and know she will make an excellent addition to any healthcare team she joins.

Award: Friends & Family of Kathleen Jo_Anne Brown-Huhtala

Recipient: Ji Won B yun

Comments: It is with great pride that we recognize this year’s recipient Ji Won, a student who has exemplified the highest standards of dedication, professionalism, and resilience throughout their time in the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program. This student has consistently demonstrated exceptional communication skills with instructors and fellow students. Ji Won’s ability to connect with others with empathy and kindness has been a hallmark of her presence in the program. Despite facing challenges, this student has remained motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive in every aspect of their education. Their commitment to learning and her positive attitude have inspired those around them, students and faculty alike. At both classroom and practicum sites, this student has set a high standard for work ethic. She approaches each task with focus, integrity, and care—attributes that are essential to the success of any healthcare professional.

Award: LifeLabs

Recipient: Melanie Alves Oliveira

Comments: Melanie has consistently demonstrated strong academic performance, achieving above-average marks in both theoretical coursework and practicum components. Their dedication to mastering both the scientific and practical aspects of the program is evident in the quality of their work and their eagerness to deepen their understanding. Beyond academics, Melanie stands out for their exceptional communication and leadership skills. They interact respectfully and effectively with fellow students, instructors, patients, and other members of the healthcare team.

Award: Camosun International School of Health Sciences & Human Services Award

Recipient: Mylene Pavia

Comments: Mylene has demonstrated an impressive commitment to her academic endeavors and application of knowledge. Her positive attitude and contributions throughout the program have greatly benefited her peers and instructors. She is a pleasure to have in class and will be an excellent addition to any healthcare team she joins.

Award: Lois M. Smith/Commonwealth Scholarship for Athletes

Recipient: Keyara Wardley

Comments: Keyara is a registered National Sports Canada student who has competed as a Canadian Rugby 7s Olympian in 2020 and again in 2024, bringing home the silver for Canada! Keyara’s dedication, hard work, and team spirit have been an excellent addition to the CMLA program. She encourages and collaborates with her fellow students and instructors and will be a great addition to the healthcare system.

Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Cohort on Graduating

Dear Students,

What a ride it’s been! As you wrap up this chapter and move on to new adventures, we just want to say one thing: you absolutely rocked it.

From day one, your energy, creativity, and sense of humour made this class unforgettable. Whether it was your wild ideas during group projects, your clever answers (even when you were winging it!), or the way you supported each other with kindness and laughter..

We’re so proud of the hard work you’ve put in, and even prouder of the way you showed up with heart, curiosity, and a spirit of fun every single day.

As you head off to take on the world, remember:

  • Keep learning.
  • Stay curious.
  • Don’t be afraid to laugh (even at yourself).
  • And please—never forget how awesome you are.

Congratulations, Class of Fall 2024! You’ve made us smile, made us proud, and made this class one we’ll always remember.

With big cheers and warm wishes,
Your Instructors

2024 HHS Award Recipients

Award: LifeLabs Award

Recipient: Kian-Yung Chong

Comments: For students in the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program, like Kian, excelling in both theory courses and practicum with above-average marks is a remarkable achievement. Kian also stands out by showcasing excellent communication skills with peers, instructors, patients, and healthcare professionals. Her professionalism, empathy, and proactive approach in taking initiative when needed are clear indicators of her dedication to the field and her bright future in healthcare.

Award: Allied Health & Technologies – Student “Grit” Award

Recipient: Jessica Hayward

Comments: This award recognizes exceptional students like Jessica, in the Allied Health & Technologies programs, who display extraordinary grit, courage, and unwavering strength of character in pursuing their educational goals. Jessica exemplifies these qualities, consistently maintaining a positive attitude and fully engaging with her peers and instructors. Her dedication to learning and perseverance make her a truly inspiring and deserving recipient.

2023 HHS Award Recipients

Award: LifeLabs Award

Recipient: Kendal Zec

Comments: Kendal has consistently demonstrated good communication skills with fellow students, instructors, patients, and members of her LifeLabs health care team. She has demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and compassion with a keen eye for quality.

Award: Allied Health & Technologies – Student “Grit” Award

Recipient: Andrew Schildroth

Comments: Andrew demonstrated extraordinary grit and resolve in the pursuit of his educational goals. His dedication to maintaining excellent grades and engaging with his peers and instructors showed his strength of character.

Award: Kathleen Jo-Anne Brown-Huhtala Memorial Award

Recipient: Irene Arefeva

Comments: Irene was a pleasure to have in the CMLA program. She has shown exceptional communication skills with fellow students, instructors, and the health care team. She demonstrated an enthusiastic, motivated, and proactive attitude in the classroom and at practicum sites.

Congratulations to the 2022/2023 Graduates!

The CMLA Instructors would like to send a special shout-out to the 2022/23 graduates.

We have had a wonderful time teaching and guiding you through your ten months with us, and wish you all the best in your future adventures!

 

 

2022 HHS Awards Ceremony

The School of Health & Human Services in partnership with the Camosun College Foundation offers a series of awards to our outstanding students. We would like to thank all of the generous donors who made these awards possible.

This year we were pleased to be able to meet in person and are expecting approximately 160 attendees to celebrate 68 student award recipients.

The 2021/2022 CMLA Awards and  Recipients were:

Award: Kathleen Jo-Anne Brown Huhtala Award

Recipient: Emma Furtado

Comments: Emma was a student who was always positive and enthusiastic about every single activity she performed. She demonstrated her exceptional work ethic by always being the first person to hand in every assignment and complete every quiz, and this continued into her practicum. She was a very dedicated student who was also a fantastic team player. Every person she worked with at her practicum site said that the staff loved her and the patients loved her and responded to her positive attitude. Throughout the entire program, she consistently showed the care and compassion that every healthcare worker should possess.

Award: HHS AHT Award

Recieptent: Yamana Montero

Comments:

Yamana showed her grit and determination again and again in the CMLA program. She always went above and beyond with every assignment and opportunity she was given. On top of this, she had the most amazing positive disposition and always saw the best side of everything and everyone. The reports of her performance during her practicum were always glowing and filled up the pages with all the positive attributes she brought to the organization. I think the wording from her final evaluation at practicum sums her up perfectly. “From the start, Yamana was a star”.

Award: HHS AHT Award

Recipient: Aleshia Orr

Comments:

Aleshia showed extraordinary grit, resolve, and strength of character in the pursuit of her educational goals.  She always impressed us with how she maintained a positive attitude and engaged with peers and instructors during her education and practicum experience.

Award: LifeLabs Award

Recipient: Kylynn Salmon

Comments:

Kylynn’s instructors appreciated her excellent communication skills with fellow students, instructors, patients, and members of the healthcare system.   Kylynn managed to maintain above-average marks in both theory courses and practicum – demonstrating professionalism and empathy and showing a high level of initiative in appropriate circumstances.