White Paper Day & Donor Appreciation Event, 2025
- Sage Milne
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
On August 14, 2025, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) proudly hosted its annual White Paper Day and Donor Appreciation Event at the Comfort Inn & Suites Conference Room in Goderich. The day was dedicated to recognizing the outstanding contributions of our research assistants and expressing gratitude to the generous donors who make our work possible.
The event featured engaging presentations from each research assistant, who highlighted their summer projects, achievements, and personal experiences. Attendees included donors and sponsors, local representatives, Gateway CERH board members, research chairs, and family members, creating a vibrant audience.
Following the presentations, guests participated in a Q&A session with the research assistants. One of the most impactful moments came when Madison Cardno, a Gateway CERH Research Assistant, was asked: “How do you feel about entering the healthcare workforce as a nurse in its current state?”
Madison’s heartfelt response resonated deeply with the audience:
“Like with any job, there will be good days and bad days. I have two older sisters in nursing, so I know how challenging it can be. But at the end of the day, nurses must reconnect with the values that first drew them to the profession. I know there will be tough days, especially given the current state of the system, but if I can be even just one person’s light on their darkest day, then I consider that the greatest win.”
Below is some information on each research assistant and their respective project:
Madison Cardno is a third-year Health Sciences student at Western University. Madison contributed to the Cultivating Memories & Pollinator Pathways Project and the Farmers Mental Health Project.
Erica Maloney focused on the Skilled Healthcare Attraction and Retention Program (SHARP). Erica collaborated with colleges and politicians to promote the initiative. She will begin Western University’s Accelerated Nursing Program this fall, following two years in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa.
Julie Wien is a third-year Health Sciences student at Wilfrid Laurier University. Julie supported the Senior Well-Being Program and Discovery Healthcare Camp, with a key role in strengthening the Legion Learning and Lounge Program.
Kate Maloney is a second-year Business and Aviation student at Western University. Kate served as a Business Development Officer, contributing to grant writing, fundraising, branding, and planning this year’s Donor Appreciation Event.
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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