New aspiring Health Leaders Award invests in the future of health administration

The Dal Health School of Health Administration (SHA) has launched a new student entrance award that reflects both its commitment to student success and its vision for the future of health system leadership. The Aspiring Health Leaders Award, made possible through a faculty- and staff-led endowment, is designed to recognize and support exceptional incoming students in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program.

The endowment was created using proceeds generated from executive health sector professional development programs delivered by the SHA. Over several years, these efforts built a sustainable fund, allowing interest earnings to be directed toward student support. In summer 2025, the school was proud to offer the inaugural Aspiring Health Leaders Awards to the highest-ranked applicants entering the MHA program.

In its first year, the self-led scholarship program awarded three scholarships valued at $6,000 each and provided additional top-up funding to approximately half a dozen other students. These awards were distributed for the first time in Fall 2025, marking a significant milestone for the school and its students.

“The creation of this endowment fund for student entrance awards is a testament to our School’s student-centred approach and our recognition of the financial challenges that students face,” said SHA Director Dr. Lori Weeks. “These awards facilitate our ability to recruit and retain excellent students.”

More impact than just financial support

 International student Fariha Bushra shared how the recognition strengthened her sense of belonging and purpose within the program.

“Navigating the academic journey as an international student can feel overwhelming at times,” Bushra said. “Receiving this Aspiring Health Leaders entrance scholarship gave me the confidence and a sense of purpose to step into the domain of healthcare to emerge as a successful healthcare leader of tomorrow. I feel this recognition fueled my ambition to contribute to the school and eventually to the health system through my work.”

The Aspiring Health Leaders Award also reflects the school’s broader commitment to equity, access, and leadership development in health administration. By reducing financial barriers at the point of entry, the school aims to attract diverse, high-achieving students who will go on to make meaningful contributions to health systems and communities.

"Receiving the Aspiring Health Leader scholarship eased the financial stress of beginning my MHA, and helped me enter the program with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. Being selected for this award has strengthened my belief that I can make a real impact on my peers and, ultimately, throughout my career as an aspiring healthcare leader," said MHA candidate and scholarship recipient, Nic Ivakine. 

As the School of Health Administration continues to offer executive professional development programs each year, the endowment will grow, ensuring the Aspiring Health Leaders Award remains available to future cohorts of MHA students. In doing so, the school is investing not only in individual students, but also in the next generation of health system leaders.