A legacy in Education
Each year The Family and Friends of Gail LaChapelle Memorial Fund and Bursary supports lifelong learning through a Nursing Bursary and continuing education program at the hospital. This tribute to Gail provides money for nursing applicants who have demonstrated their commitment to continuing education through improving their skills and certifications.
The fund was started in 2007 after the passing of Gail LaChapelle, an Emergency department nurse at GBGH. Gail was a nurse, mother, wife, student and champion of fundraising efforts to support cancer research and treatment. And she was passionate about education – returning to school for her RPN designation when she was 32. She kept on taking courses while working, parenting four children and eventually fighting pancreatic cancer. Just months before losing her battle with cancer in September 2006, Gail proudly achieved her Registered Nurses’ designation.
In her memory, her family and friends turned her passion for family, learning and her chosen profession – nursing – into a legacy they have generously shared with the GBGH community. Since the program began in 2007, The Family and Friends of Gail LaChapelle Education Fund has supported approximately 100 nursing staff in their educational pursuits.
This year’s fund and bursary has supported nursing staff with $6,000 in funds to be put toward courses ranging from Masters programs, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), emergency nursing pediatric course, advanced wound care, critical care placement, perioperative nursing certificates and RPN to BScN bridging.