The future of our union: Part IV

As such, they look to ONA members and leaders for your guidance and expertise to help them carve a path towards safe and reliable practice, and for your support with the unique challenges they face. We all have an important role to play in fostering their connection to our union as we fight for and give them a strong voice on the issues that matter most.

In this four-part series, you’ll hear directly from the most recent recipients of the ONA and Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Scholarships & Bursaries about what ONA means to them. These scholarships are available to first-time students who are immediate family members of ONA members and enrolled in accredited Canadian Nursing Students’ Association-affiliated nursing education programs or other regulated health professional programs in Ontario.

In this final installment, read what these three students learned about ONA through their parents and how the union’s support doesn’t just benefit them but all Ontarians.

Kevin Phan

“Despite their contributions, Ontario’s nurses are often undervalued. Governments and health-care administrators frequently overlook the needs of our nursing staff, treating them as a resource rather than the skilled people they are. ONA has taken a stand against harmful laws and policies made by those in power. Through its actions, ONA helps cultivate a healthier environment for Ontario’s nurses, which can be seen across the health-care landscape.”

Addison Ollerenshaw

“I’m proud to be the daughter of an ONA member. My mother is Melanie Ollerenshaw, who has worked at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre as a dedicated registered nurse for more than 25 years. Her representation as a nurse and her involvement with ONA has demonstrated firsthand the crucial role the organization has in protecting and supporting health-care professionals. Organizations like ONA make it possible for nurses and workers to focus on what matters most, which is providing exceptional, compassionate and high-quality care to their patients.” 

Julia Komada

“When my grandmother became ill, she needed someone by her side throughout the challenges of treatment, but what stood out even more was how much support my mom, her caregiver, also needed. As she guided my grandmother through that painful journey, she too longed for emotional support, guidance and reassurance. These moments reminded me of how vital human presence is, not just for the patient, but for the caregivers and health professionals who serve them every day. This understanding is what drew me to nursing. I realized it’s a profession rooted in more than just physical care. It’s about emotional connection, compassion and presence.”

The deadline to apply for the 2026 ONA and CFNU scholarships is July 1. Learn more about those scholarships and the other support we offer students here.