2026 Junior Volunteer Scholarship Winners
07/31/2026
Our Junior Volunteers are young adults who give their time to help throughout our hospitals while still in high school. We are so grateful for their service and proud of the many ways we see them grow and develop into the future leaders of healthcare and our community.
The scholarship program at North – Robbinsdale Hospital was originally founded with a gift from the Hospital Auxiliary to support young adult volunteers. Though the Auxiliary is no longer active today, the legacy of their generosity lives on through the accomplishment of these exceptional volunteers.
Kevin Le
“North Memorial Health has solidified my resolve to specialize in the medical field from my interaction with the patients and its mission to focus on each individual patient. The people that volunteer at North are cheerful and sociable not just with their patients, but also with all their coworkers. This environment drew me to North and inspires me to contribute my best to fulfill the standard.”
“I want to become the best person I can be, which starts with being good to others. North establishes the foundation to become the person I want to become. North offers me the ability to help others, and I chose it because it promotes the same principles I prioritize in my life. North values all their patients, no matter the differences such as race, age, or sex, that separates Them.”
Kevin
Mackenzie Nicholas
“My experience at North Memorial Health has been something I will take with me and treasure forever. I have met many amazing patients, volunteers, and staff who have made the hospital community very special. Volunteering in roles like discharging patients, helping with the Care Cart, and training other volunteers has been fulfilling for me, as I can see the genuine impact I have on the lives of patients in need.”
“I appreciate being a source of comfort and hope, offering my support and encouragement, as I am the last person from the hospital a patient sees while being discharged.”
Mackenzie
The Gayle Stegeman Memorial Scholarship, the junior volunteer scholarship program at North – Maple Grove Hospital, was created in 2018 to honor the memory of our beloved gift shop manager, Gayle. While Gayle dreamed of becoming a doctor, she was unable to pay for medical school. Instead, she found her own unique way to support our hospital and the health of our community through our gift shop and was an inspiration to many throughout the hospital, both patients and team members.
Ameya Bhaskar
“Volunteering at North Memorial has inspired me to pursue a healthcare career. I want to be a doctor working directly with patients, where I can combine a broader understanding of healthcare systems with the responsibility of caring for patients.”
“Ultimately, volunteering is about offering kindness in moments of vulnerability. I am proud to serve as the first source of comfort for everyone who walks into our hospital. North Memorial helped me recognize the impact of being present in moments when small actions can positively affect a patient’s care.”
“My experiences at North Memorial encouraged me to be a part of a system that prioritizes access, strengthens communication, and ensures that patients are not left navigating it alone.”
Ameya
Dureti Petros
“This experience made me realize that small acts of care can leave a lasting mark on someone. In the future, I aspire to become a doctor who heals with both skill and knowledge and with kindness and patience.”
Dureti
Shiloh Fowlkes
“Volunteering at North – Maple Grove Hospital has allowed me to see healthcare from a broader perspective and understand how many different roles come together to support patients and their families.”
“Another part of my experience that has meant a lot to me is the support I have received from the healthcare professionals at North. Many of them have taken the time to introduce themselves, ask about my education and career goals, and share helpful advice about pursuing a career in healthcare. Their willingness to include me has made me feel welcomed and has further strengthened my desire to provide patients with the same compassion and care that I have seen at North.”
Shiloh
Snigdah Kothareddy
“When people think about hospitals, they usually think about doctors and nurses. But through my experience, I started to see how much happens behind the scenes. Every process, every interaction, and every small detail plays a role in how patients experience their care. Even something as routine as delivering meals can affect someone’s comfort and sense of normalcy.”
“At the same time, this experience reminded me that efficiency alone isn’t enough. Every system ultimately exists to serve people. The moments that felt most meaningful to me were the ones where I knew my work—even indirectly—made someone’s experience a little better.”
“My time at Maple Grove Hospital showed me that you don’t have to be on the front lines of care to make a difference. Sometimes, the most meaningful impact comes from making sure everything behind the scenes works the way it should.”
Snigdah
Surya Hariharan
“Being immersed in the hospital environment showed me what patient care truly looks like—not just in critical moments, but in the consistency, teamwork, and compassion required every day. It motivated me to pursue further opportunities in medicine, from research to clinical exposure.”
“More importantly, this experience will continue to shape how I approach my future career. It has taught me that medicine is not only about knowledge and skill, but also about communication, empathy, and connection.”
Surya
The Healthcare Pathways Program is designed to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals through meaningful, hands-on experiences. This scholarship reinforces our commitment to removing financial barriers and helping motivated students continue their path toward a future in medicine. The scholarship was created to honor the memory of our beloved gift shop manager, Gayle Stegeman. Gayle was an inspiration to many throughout the hospital, both patients and team members.
Emily Chen Nguyen
“Overall, I choose to be a part of the North Memorial Health Healthcare Pathways Program because I have always been interested in pursuing a career in nursing, especially being a registered nurse to then a nurse practitioner! I wanted to explore this interest and gain firsthand experience to better understand the field of nursing in real time. This program allowed me to do this while also showing me the variety of different paths available that are in the healthcare setting. Being a part of this program has strengthened my desire to pursue nursing and has taught me how to be knowledgeable, compassionate, an advocate, and respectful in helping patients receive their best health possible!”
Emily
