An Enduring Legacy: Meet the Recipient of the Inaugural Dr. Elliot Sampson Professional Development Award
LEDUC, June 9, 2025
Established in early 2025 to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Elliot Sampson, through the generous support of Dr. Sampson's family, the Dr. Elliot Sampson Professional Development Award provides financial assistance to healthcare professionals in the Leduc region, helping them pursue continuing education and professional development opportunities such as specialized courses and seminars.
Today, the Leduc Community Hospital Foundation is pleased to introduce Sarah Lenarduzzi, a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at the Leduc Community Hospital, as the inaugural recipient of this memorial award.
After being presented with the award, Sarah remarked, “This scholarship will be an invaluable resource that allows me to take the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course and elevate my skills as an Emergency Room nurse.”
Sarah applied for this award to help cover the cost of the ACLS course, an essential program that enhances the management of cardiac emergencies, including cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. Mastering skills such as ECG interpretation, high-quality chest compressions, and timely medication administration is vital for emergency room nurses, ensuring the highest standard of care in critical situations.
“This course will not only make me a more competent and qualified nurse, but it will also increase my value as a member of the healthcare team,” explains Sarah. “It allows me to take on greater responsibilities as a charge nurse, including leading resuscitation efforts and assisting the medical team during complex procedures.”
Sarah exemplifies why it is so important to support and help elevate the healthcare professionals in our community.
Wanting to do more to support healthcare professionals, in the fall of 2021, the Foundation established a scholarships and awards program that directly supports the people in our community who have a special passion for and commitment to healthcare through their chosen profession.
In 2024, when the family of Dr. Sampson reached out to the Foundation wishing to leave a legacy in memory of their son, supporting the Professional Development Awards was seen as a most appropriate way to honour him. The Foundation extends its gratitude to Dr. Sampson’s family, whose generosity makes it possible to contribute to the training and professional growth of our community’s healthcare professionals.
Learn more about the Foundation’s Scholarships and Awards.