A strong health teacher in high school and a youth mental health meeting sparked a drive in Stephanie Hill to work in health advocacy.
The tertiary student has just won a $10,000 Braemar Charitable Trust scholarship for a Bachelor of Health student at the University of Waikato. Stephanie is in her second year of study and was previously at Te Awamutu College where she credits her health teacher Mrs Watson with helping inspire her.
Braemar Charitable Trust works to advance healthcare equity and access and improve health outcomes in our community. It is the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand’s largest private hospitals.
The Trust has a range of charitable activities it funds, including free community surgeries, scholarships, health sector capability building and medical research, all underpinned by an equity and access lens. In particular, it funds three $10,000 scholarships each year for University of Waikato students, two in the Bachelor of Nursing programme and one in the Bachelor of Health.
Stephanie says she’s grateful to win the scholarship for the opportunities it will provide. She is keen to eventually work in an area where she can develop and implement strategies and policies that will support the mental health of farmers.
“I’m incredibly proud and honoured to be a recipient of the Braemar Charitable Trust Scholarship. I will carry this role with dignity and responsibility, and I am committed to making the most of this opportunity not just for myself, but for the communities I hope to uplift.”
She’s also thankful for the financial help the scholarship brings. She has a part-time job but that doesn’t cover groceries plus driving lessons or a much-needed car. “This scholarship changes that, it gives me the chance to work towards my restricted license, take lessons, and eventually buy a car. To me, a car isn't just a way to get from A to B, it's a symbol of independence, freedom and opportunity. It means being able to keep life commitments and go back to the farm in Wharepūhunga (between Ōtorohanga and Tokoroa) without having to rely on others.”
As well as teacher input, Stephanie also credits a meeting with MPs discussing youth mental health with clarifying her plans. “Listening to the discussion, I felt a strong urge to speak up and advocate for others.” She then worked hard to take on leadership roles within the school before applying to the University of Waikato in the Bachelor of Health degree.
Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker says the Trust is aware of the many challenges in the wider health sector and wants to be part of the solution for growing great workforces. “We hope that by winning this scholarship, Stephanie will be able to focus on her goals and eventually help improve our communities.”
As part of the scholarship win, Stephanie has a work placement with the Trust which has five pillars in its charitable purpose. It is becoming increasingly well-known for delivering dozens of free surgeries each year, including nearly 160 in the past financial year, with the help of surgeons and anaesthetists who are credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital and who donate their time.
Braemar Charitable Trust has also made it simple for anyone to donate to its work via an online donations portal where donors can choose to fund a specific procedure for someone or make donations towards a scholarship or general fund, or research. To find out more, sign up here for news and updates
ENDS
Media inquiries – not for publication. For more information contact:
Paula Baker MNZM
Trust Manager, Braemar Charitable Trust
027 224 2316
