“Loran has played a unique role in my life—supporting me through the challenges of the transition to university and also pushing me to be the best community member I can be. The program has unequivocally changed the trajectory of my life; if not in terms of my career path, in terms of the way I see the world and engage with the people around me. I feel like I’m making the biggest difference in my community when I’m engaging in work for kids with arthritis. Whether I am volunteering at camp with or doing research at a computer, it is an incredibly fulfilling privilege to use my lived experience with arthritis to play a role in the lives of the next generation of kids with this disease. The forward-thinking and optimistic energy of the Loran community inspires me to be a more curious, action-oriented, and compassionate person.”

“The Loran Scholars Foundation is a remarkable opportunity for young impact leaders who are committed to making a difference in their communities, and an initiative that mirrors our vision at the Northpine Foundation. Like Loran, we invest in future paths of high impact and understand the exponential power of a strong, supportive network that collaborates to tackle societal challenges at scale. We hope our investment will support these exceptional individuals as they continue their collective efforts and spark transformative change in our shared vision of a better world.“

“Hearing the stories and experiences of our youth is inspiring. It makes me commit to being part of a program and process that provides opportunities to further develop their skills, gifts, and talents. I believe my contribution to Loran is valuable because it is important for our youth to see themselves at every step in the interview process – a shared commonality is how we find place and belonging.”

“From a young age, I have witnessed the gaps in healthcare in the North—from being born via air ambulance to witnessing family and friends travel hundreds of kilometres for routine medical care. My time as a Loran Scholar taught me the importance of community development and sustainability, which is what drew me back to the North. Southern approaches to medicine cannot always be applied in the North and must involve local input from community members. That’s why I completed my MD at one of the only medical schools in Canada that tailors to the unique needs of rural/remote communities. I am now a Resident Physician training to become a Pediatrician at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. After my training, I plan to return to my hometown: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to practice. I look forward to reducing the health inequalities faced every day in the North.“