Targeted Scholarship Recipient 2024 Lakehead University
The MROO Targeted scholarship program, first announced in 2023, focuses on supporting graduate students in Ontario who are doing research or pursuing a career that will positively impact the lives of seniors.
This is the first year of MROO’s partnership with Lakehead University. In 2023, MROO’s first Carleton targeted scholarship was awarded to Aidan Lochbiler, who was pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in Data Science at Carleton University.
This year’s first recipient from Lakehead University, May Remenda, lives in Thunder Bay (from Nipigon, Ontario) is in her final year of a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Gerontology.
May Remenda, Lakehead University graduate student and recipient of MROO's Targeted Scholarship for 2024.
From Left to Right: Ken Noakes (Executive Director, MROO), May Remenda and Bill Latham (Director of Zone 8, MROO) at the Annual Zone 8 Meeting in Thunder Bay on May 7, 2024
May's thesis work focuses on enhancing dementia care for Indigenous residential school survivors who are often relocated to long-term care facilities far from their communities and support systems. By advocating for culturally safer care practices, which respect and integrate their unique heritage and histories, her work aims to ensure these elders are treated with dignity and kindness in their final years. After graduation, May will be working as a Knowledge Broker at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH).
At her recent graduation ceremony (May 30, 2024), May received another award - the Dean Braun Scholar award which is presented to the student with the highest academic standing in the program. Congratulation to May!
Watch a recent interview with May Remenda on CTV News Nothern Ontario: June 2024
MROO interviewed May to find out more about her research and her future plans.
Why did you pursue a MA in Social Work in Gerontology?
In my 4th year field placement (during my undergraduate studies) at a long-term care home, I realized I wanted to continue my studies. During my placement, I met several residents who were residential school survivors. These residents were all diagnosed with dementia. Living in a residential living facility, they all experienced some form of re-traumatization. I began researching ways to help these individuals but could not find much on this topic. I knew that I needed to fill this research gap and dig deeper. My master's research focuses on how to create culturally safer dementia care for residential school survivors who are living in long-term care.
What will you do next?
I am extremely fortunate to already have found employment with an organization that aligns with my career goals and my personal values. After completing my field-practicum with the Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) at Lakehead University, I was offered employment as a Knowledge Broker. I currently support the delivery of palliative care education for the Northwestern Ontario region and represent CERAH on the Palliative Advocacy Care Team (PACT), which works to bring health equity to vulnerable populations who are living with a life-limiting illness.
How will this MROO Scholarship help you to pursue your research?
This scholarship will assist in getting my research seen! I have submitted abstracts to several National conferences and all of those have registration fees and travel costs. This MROO Scholarship will help to amplify my research.
How will your research contribute to the study of aging or improving the lives of seniors in Ontario?
My work focuses on enhancing dementia care for Indigenous residential school survivors who are often relocated to long-term care facilities far from their communities and support systems. By advocating for culturally safer care practices, which respect and integrate their unique heritage and histories, my work aims to ensure these elders are treated with dignity and kindness in their final years.
Do you volunteer in your community?
I represent CERAH in a group called Compassionate Communities Thunder Bay. It is a social movement that aims to normalize and increase community support for those experiencing death, dying, loss or caring for others. At its core, it works within the community to increase support for people with life-limiting illnesses, their families, and caregivers, and those who are grieving. We recognize that caring for others during times of need is a social responsibility, not just a medical one.
Congratulations, May and best of luck this year!