Twenty-five local university students will receive Diversity in Health Care Bursaries, funded by the QEII Foundation, from Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Central Zone, at a special celebration set for this Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The annual Diversity in Health Care Bursaries started in 2015 following the results of a workforce diversity survey completed in the Halifax and West Hants areas that flagged under-representation of marginalized groups as a key issue.

The $1,000 bursary is earmarked for students who are African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and/or persons with a disability. The selection of students was based on community involvement, financial need, educational goals and field of study.

In addition to each of the 25 students receiving a $1,000 bursary, the award winners will be honoured at a celebration this Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. inside the Bethune Ballroom on the main floor of the Bethune Building at the Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre.