Welcome Ava & Sydney, Research Assistants
- Sage Milne
- Nov 4
- 2 min read
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) is excited to welcome Ava Fitzgerald and Sydney Hunking as a research assistants.
Ava Fitzgerald
Ava was born in Walkerton and moved to Goderich in kindergarten where she grew up. After graduation Ava moved to Waterloo for her postsecondary studies at the University of Waterloo, where she is currently completing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics minoring in applied linguistics, with a double specialization in French and German.
Ava is deeply passionate about community service, wellness, and development. This past year, she supported work with internationally educated healthcare professionals in Waterloo helping them navigate the local certification process, increasing the number of skilled healthcare workers at local clinics and hospitals. Ava also wrote and presented a research paper on special metal mining in Sierra Leone’s Kono region this summer. She worked with local policy makers, stakeholders, and community members in the region on the project, and she is excited to continue working on her research in the coming year.
Outside of Gateway CERH, Ava can often be found studying for her courses or spending time outside. Since moving back, she has been enjoying the local film festival, and the farmers market; always eager to meet new people, feel free to say hi when you see her out and about.
Sydney Hunking
Sydney was born and raised outside of Blyth on their family farm until the age of 16 when her family moved to Bayfield. She attended Central Huron Secondary School. Sydney completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University, completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology (Research Specialist) with a minor in mental health, addictions and society, as well as a certificate in applied social science research. She is currently completing her Master of Arts in Health and Aging at McMaster University.
Sydney is deeply passionate about rural health. Previously she worked at various family health teams, supporting various projects such as the cardiac rehabilitation program for the Maitland Valley Medical Team, and she also sits on the Board of Directors at the Huron Perth Centre for Children and Youth.
Outside of Gateway CERH and her academics, Sydney can be found assisting research students at McMaster University or enjoying time around Bayfield with her family (and dog).
Stay tuned for more updates on Ava and Sydney’s contributions and adventures as part of the Gateway CERH team!
About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health
Founded in 2008 in the community of Seaforth, ON, 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: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ and follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube
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