Support for Professional Development Provided in Memory of Long-time Donor
In honour of a much-loved wife and mother, a donation of $500,000 to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation has been made. This donation is the first of two or more instalments. This generous gift will be used to create an endowment fund, interest from which will fund specific projects and, most importantly, an educational scholarship program to financially assist those individuals who have shown a passion for, and commitment to, upgrading their skills to meet the unique needs of a rural hospital.
What is the scholarship and what will it do?
The endowment fund is being established in honour of Mrs. Florence Yong. Each project will be acknowledged as being supported by the “FLORENCE YONG ENDOWMENT” and each scholarship awarded will be named the “FLORENCE YONG SCHOLARSHIP ”. The income derived from the donation will be used to offer financial aid to specific projects and scholarships in any professional development pursuit that will provide long-term benefit to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, including, but not limited to: upgrading of professional designation (i.e., LPN to RN), new advanced techniques in surgical nursing, imaging or laboratory technology, respiratory technology, orthopedics technology or rehabilitation assistance.
Florence Yong
Why it matters to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital
Paul Hames, President of the Board of SPHHF explains why this gift is so important: “The Saanich Peninsula is a small hospital, employing a rural medical model. Because of its size, staff recruitment and retention can be difficult. We know that programmes like this, which will support important projects and assist staff in pursuit of their professional goals, while supporting the unique needs of a small rural hospital, will keep it modern and vibrant.”
Why the Florence Yong Endowment is important
Mrs. Yong came to the hospital regularly for day treatments, and became acquainted with many of the nurses and other staff members. In speaking with these kind and caring individuals, she came to understand the need for financial aids for specific projects and regular upgrading, as well as helping people realize their professional dreams. A close friend of the family says, “Florence was devoted to her family and friends, always giving of herself and it is great to see her legacy honoured with an extraordinary gift for an extraordinary purpose.”
Thank you to the Yong family for this generous gift, a gift that will keep supporting our hospital into the future.
