Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health Welcomes 2026 Summer Student Team & Staff

Back Left to Front Left: Gwen Devereaux, President, Julie Wein, Research Assistant, Julia Waanders,

Alexa Hugill, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) is excited to welcome a new group of students to its Summer 2026 team. These talented students bring diverse experiences, innovative ideas, and a strong commitment to advancing health and well-being in rural communities. Throughout the summer, they will contribute to meaningful projects and initiatives that support research, community engagement, and rural health innovation across our local communities.

In addition, Gateway CERH is pleased to officially welcome Alexa Hugill as Marketing and Communications Coordinator, who joined Gateway CERH in November. Alexa has been supporting a variety of communications, outreach, and engagement initiatives that help share Gateway CERH’s work across our local communities.

Alexa Hugill is from Seaforth, Ontario and in 2021, she moved to the Kitchener-Waterloo Region to attend Conestoga College’s Bachelor of Public Relations Program. In June of last year, Alexa graduated from the program with distinction. Passionate about rural health, innovative research, and economic development, Alexa is strongly committed to improving the well-being of small communities. Outside of Gateway CERH, you’ll often find Alexa spending time with her family, reading, or enjoying local small businesses in the community. She loves meeting new people and striking up conversations, so don’t be afraid to say hello!

Madison Cardno is a returning Gateway CERH student and will be entering her fourth year of Health Sciences at Western University and is excited to join Gateway CERH as a Research Assistant. Through her time at Western University, she has developed a strong interest in how social, environmental, and community factors shape health. Outside of school and work, you can usually find her at a workout class, playing pickleball, or trying out a new coffee shop.

Madison is excited to be returning to Gateway CERH for her second summer! She is especially looking forward to continuing work that addresses rural health disparities in a way that allows her to connect directly with the community. She is also eager to continue learning from both experts and community members, whose perspectives continue to shape her understanding of rural health.

Julia Waanders is a new Gateway CERH student and is a Health Sciences student at Western University. This summer, Julia is excited to join Gateway CERH as a Research Assistant. She looks forward to supporting Gateway CERH research and projects focused on improving health and wellbeing in our rural community, building her research skills, and learning lots along the way. Outside of work, you can usually find her at the beach, spending time with family and friends, or reading a good book!

Julie Wein is a returning Gateway CERH student, was born and raised in Exeter, ON, and is currently finishing her third year of Health Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. Julie is passionate about better mobilizing resources within rural communities to lead to better health outcomes. She is excited to continue to develop the programs at Gateway CERH and connect with members of our community. During Julie’s free time, she enjoys going to the beach and kayaking.

Sophia Buckman is a new Gateway CERH student and is entering her second year at Queen's University where she is studying Life Sciences. She is a passionate runner who just finished her first marathon, and she loves to do hands-on projects and crafts. Sophia enjoys reading and learning more about the medical field and is considering medical literature for her eventual career path one day. This summer, Sophia is most excited to begin her journey with Gateway CERH as a Research Assistant and see where this summer leads! She looks forward to bringing her new friends from Queen’s to Huron County and introducing them to the community she grew up in.

Lily Rideout is a new Gateway CERH student and will be graduating in June from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in International Development with a minor in Economics. Lily has just returned from an 8-month academic placement in Malawi, where she worked for an NGO that focuses on community-based entrepreneurship and technology solutions for development. Lily is excited to bring the skills she has acquired in community development into Gateway CERH and create a positive impact in Huron County this summer!

Together, the Summer 2026 team will play an important role in advancing Gateway CERH’s ongoing work. Their contributions will help strengthen local initiatives and support innovative solutions for our rural communities. Gateway CERH is proud to support local students and looks forward to the energy, insight, and dedication they will bring over the coming months.

About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health

Founded in 2008, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education, and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at www.gatewayruralhealth.ca.