Straight to the heart

First Lady Creates Scholarship Program

Research – Straight to the Heart

First Lady Helen Lemieux is pleased to announce her fundraising program, “Research – Straight to the Heart,” which will provide scholarships for a summer internship program for medical and allied health care students. Participants will work in our hospitals’ research facilities.

First Lady Helen believes that research, with its potential to improve medical treatments, will become an increasingly important component of Shriners Hospitals for Children’s mission. She also recognizes the critical need to attract excellent medical professionals. First Lady Helen’s program is meant to assist in these areas.

The scholarship program will increase medical students’ awareness of the exciting, important work being done at Shriners Hospitals and, ideally, entice them to become part of our team.

Initially, the internship will be offered to medical students. The interns will be supervised by senior staff at a Shriners Hospital and be part of a structured training program emphasizing research being done in our facilities. Based on experience gained over time, the program will be expanded to include students in allied health care fields who will participate in rehabilitation research at our hospitals.

A Continued Presence

The First Lady hopes the program will operate similarly to an endowment fund, with continued presence and growth, eventually supporting a significant number of interns. This long-term approach will allow even more upcoming medical professionals to become part of Shriners Hospitals’ efforts on behalf of children.

As Imperial Sir Bernard and Lady Helen make their visits throughout this Imperial Year, they ask that in lieu of personal gifts, nobles and ladies make a donation to the First Lady’s program, “Research – Straight to the Heart.” Donors will receive a copy of the children’s book, “Granny Uncovers Miracles at Shriners Hospitals for Children” and matching bookmark for each contribution of $25.

Order forms may be given to the Imperial Potentate or the First Lady, or may be sent with donations to Shriners International Headquarters, Donor Relations Department, P.O. Box 31356, Tampa, FL 33631. Canadian donations and order forms should be sent to Canadian Shriners Hospital, 1529 Cedar Ave., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A6. Additional order forms and envelopes can be obtained from the Donor Relations Department at Shriners International Headquarters by calling (800) 241-4438.

Donations can also be made online. Donors who contribute through the Web will receive their books via the mail.