Announcement of the winners of the 2025 Student Awards from the PEI French Health Network

Press Release – For Immediate Release

WELLINGTON, PE, September 18, 2025 – The Prince Edward Island French Health Network (PEIFSN) is pleased to announce the recipients of its three awards for 2025: Ashlyn Tremere, Megan Burnside and Fabiola Alexandra Paz Giron.

Two $1,500 prizes were awarded to Francophone or Francophile students from Prince Edward Island enrolled in a post-secondary health program. A third $500 prize was awarded to a French-speaking student from outside the province or country enrolled in a post-secondary health program on the Island.

The winners were selected during a draw at the RSFIPE premises, as part of the annual competition designed to support the next generation of French-speaking healthcare professionals and encourage their establishment on Prince Edward Island.

🏅 Ashlyn Tremere – $1500 Health Student Entrance Award

A graduate of Bluefield High School, Ashlyn begins her first year of nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island in September. Passionate about childcare and birth, she aspires to become an obstetrical or pediatric nurse.

“I want to help people feel comfortable during the most stressful times of their lives.” She emphasizes the importance of receiving care in one's native language, especially in stressful medical settings.

🩺 Megan Burnside – $1,500 Health Student Award

A psychology student at the University of Prince Edward Island, Megan is pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. She already has training in art and ceramics and is actively involved in women's and family rights advocacy.

“Offering services in French makes people more comfortable and increases the likelihood of full understanding.” Megan hopes to offer group therapy and help improve access to French-language care in PEI.

🌍 Fabiola Alexandra Paz Giron – $500 Prize for migrant or international students

Originally from Honduras, Fabiola is pursuing a degree in healthcare at the Collège de l'Île. She holds a master's degree in biotechnology and hopes to work as a healthcare assistant while continuing to contribute to the field of research.

“I want to combine my scientific skills and my human experience to provide quality service.” She acknowledges the linguistic challenges but remains determined to integrate and actively contribute to the Island’s healthcare system.

The RSFÎPÉ awards are intended to support and promote the training of professionals who can positively impact the provision of French-language services in PEI. In addition to the opportunity to win a prize, participants, with their permission, are added to the RSFÎPÉ health student database. The Health Network shares the student list with the Health PEI staff recruitment team so that they, too, can inform these students of internship and employment opportunities in the province.

Participants in the 2025 competition who wish to be eligible during the 2026 year must update their information in the online registration system on our website during the next academic year and before the next deadline.

For more information about the awards or the health student database, contact us by sending an email to info@santeipe.ca , or visit our website: https://www.santeipe.ca/en/prix-et-bourses .

The PEI French Health Network is a non-profit organization that collaborates with various partners to improve access to quality French-language health programs and services for the Acadian and Francophone population of Prince Edward Island. The organization brings together representatives from targeted community groups, educational institutions, health professionals, health service managers, and the provincial government. It is also one of 16 networks that are part of the Société Santé en français. We work together on the priorities of the national strategic plan Convergences 2028. The PEI French Health Network is funded by Health Canada.

📞 Media Information

For interview requests or additional information, please contact:

Sandrine Badini

Deputy Director

Phone: 902-854-7247

Email: sbadini@ihis.org