In 2024, over 240 Island Health Employees were awarded the Heather A. Simpson scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for any education upgrades within the healthcare field. To learn more about supporting education in our hospitals, click here.
Hrishikesh Sasikumarnair
Scholarship Recipient, Health Information Science Student, Housekeeper, Son, Brother, Friend, Human
Working as a housekeeper at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH), I see the inside of patient rooms more frequently than most staff. I know the pain and suffering patients go through and I’ve been a witness to the care they need. This is what inspires me. I want to make the lives of those patients better. I hope to one day do so by developing practices within our hospitals that allow nurses and doctors to spend more time in the care of their patients and less time filling out reports. This is a goal of mine as a student and recipient of the Heather A. Simpson Scholarship.
I am currently studying Health Information Science at UVic. I see the great amount of time and work our nurses and doctors put into caring for their patients. My belief is that if we can make their work easier and their time more meaningful with patients, then why shouldn’t develop ways to do that?
Healthcare is a passion of mine and I believe there’s a lot of good that technology can do to help maximize productivity. I’m in my third year of studies and have already encountered instances where I’ve immediately thought this would be so beneficial for patients. I want to incorporate what I’m learning into the hospitals I’ll one day be working in.
I love living in Victoria and working at RJH. The city is so beautiful, so calm. I’m so lucky to live here. When I graduate, I hope to continue with Island Health by joining their IT team. My goal is to help advance the information systems in our hospitals to ultimately provide better and faster patient care.
“I hope to [improve patient care] by developing practices within our hospitals that allow nurses and doctors to spend more time in the care of their patients and less time filling out reports.”
I came to Canada from India to study at UVic a couple of years ago. The university’s Health Information Science program is very well known around the world. It’s unique because it incorporates all aspects of healthcare. We begin by studying human anatomy and then apply technology, so students get a true appreciation for everything that is involved in caring for patients.
This year, I’m conducting research into how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance a doctor’s ability to care for their patients. Nurses and doctors are often backlogged with files—think of the possibilities of AI technology allowing them to remove that part of their work. It would give them the ability to concentrate on their patient’s emotions, condition and their overall health. I want to improve our patients’ experience, that is my inspiration. If there is a way we can incorporate technology to improve patient care, then I believe we should.
Working at RJH has opened my mind to a world of new possibilities. While I miss my family and friends back home, my work at the hospital, along with this scholarship have motivated me to help others. When I informed my parents that I was a scholarship recipient, they told me to use this good fortune to make a difference in the world and I intend to do that right here at RJH.
“Working at RJH has opened my mind to a world of new possibilities.”
I want to express my gratitude to the generous donors who have made this scholarship possible. I greatly appreciate their vision. They are contributing their hard-earned money to ultimately improve healthcare and therefore the community. It’s wonderful, and there is no greater form of kindness.
Healthcare is constantly changing and our hospital staff need to keep up with the pace. This scholarship gives staff, like me, opportunities. We can broaden our horizons, further our educations, all without having to worry about the stress of our finances. I can focus on my studies and devote myself to important research without financial worries. Having the opportunity to develop our skills to meet the needs of those changing perspectives is so valuable. I feel very proud and honoured that the scholarship committee chose me for this scholarship. I share a sincere thank you!
“Healthcare is constantly changing and our hospital staff need to keep up with the pace.”
They are humans first, who put other humans first.
More than 8,900 caregivers and staff work around the clock in our Victoria Hospitals
#HumansFirst is dedicated to sharing the stories from behind our hospitals’ frontlines. These stories remind us that those who provide care and keep the lights on in our hospitals also have lives outside of them. They have family and friends, they enjoy hobbies and interests, and they have all lived through their own personal triumphs and heartbreaks. Like all of us, they are human, and they have a story to tell.
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