2021 Medavie Scholarship: Supporting youth in caring for Canadians

From a young age, Cassie O’Hagan has been passionate about supporting her community.

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Cassie O’Hagan

She founded a local chapter of a mental health organization in her hometown of Barrie, Ontario and in her spare time, volunteers at a crisis support line.

It is through this work that Cassie has “met people from all walks of life who have not only shared their own stories but have allowed me to be open minded and learn from their experiences.”

Cassie, now a psychology student at the University of British Columbia, is a recipient of a 2020 Medavie Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to youth who have overcome mental health adversity and who are pursuing health-related studies at a Canadian university or community college.

Five $5,000 scholarships

This year, Medavie, through the Medavie Foundation, will award up to five scholarships of $5,000 each to exceptional youth like Cassie that is committed to a career in caring for Canadians.

Now in its fourth year, the scholarship program has expanded so that each scholarship will be renewable for up to three additional years.

Program criteria

While a key criteria for the scholarship is the extent to which a youth has overcome a mental health adversity and is pursuing health-related post-secondary studies, consideration is also given to a demonstrated commitment to improving the wellbeing of others, both through their health-related education and career goals.

As the program places emphasis on achievements both inside and outside of the classroom, the applicant’s community involvement is also taken into consideration.

Important step

For Cassie, the Medavie Scholarship was an important step in her journey toward “making a difference in the medical field and breaking the barriers that people face to accessing treatments in their communities.”

The financial assistance she received from Medavie enabled her to spend more time on her school and volunteer work.

We are proud to have recognized youth like Cassie for their contributions to the wellbeing of Canadians and to have supported them in their studies.

Learn more

If you know of an outstanding youth who shares Cassie’s commitment to caring for Canadians and her lived experience conquering mental health challenges, applications for the 2021 Medavie Scholarship are now being accepting until June 27, 2021.


For more information about the Medavie Foundation and our focus on supporting initiatives that improve the wellbeing of Canadians, read about our Community Impact. Learn how we partner with community-based organizations to make a real difference in the lives of Canadians, particularly vulnerable and at-risk populations, with a focus on adolescent mental health, post-traumatic stress and access to healthy living.


Our Mission is to Improve the Wellbeing of Canadians.

Medavie is a health company that oversees Medavie Blue Cross and Medavie Health Services. Together, we’re bringing Canadians better health and access to care.