Ms Kate Myllyniemi	Ms Claire Padvaiskas

Doctors of BC has awarded its annual $1000 scholarships for 2026 to Ms Kate Myllyniemi and Ms Claire Padvaiskas. The recipients were chosen from a pool of inspiring applicants.

Ms Myllyniemi graduated from Mount Douglas Secondary School’s Challenge Program and is attending the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Science this fall. In high school, Ms Myllyniemi participated in numerous sports, including captaining her varsity basketball team and playing on the ultimate Frisbee team, which won bronze at the provincial championships. She enjoys working with younger students and athletes, whether she is mentoring other students in her school’s gifted program, coaching basketball, or volunteering as a junior leader with Girl Guides of Canada. Ms Myllyniemi is grateful to have been recognized with several awards during her graduating year, including receiving the Grade 12 Service Cup and being named the senior girls’ basketball most valuable player. At UBC, she hopes to explore her interest in science while working toward a career in health care. In the future, she would love the opportunity to care for children at BC Children’s Hospital and volunteer internationally with Love Without Boundaries. Ms Myllyniemi looks forward to continuing to learn, meet new people, and find ways to make a difference in her community.

Ms Padvaiskas is entering her 4th year at the University of British Columbia, where she is completing her bachelor of science in neuroscience. Ms Padvaiskas is particularly interested in improving follow-up care after critical illness. Through her work in the pediatric intensive care unit at BC Children’s Hospital, she has seen how recovery continues long after a child leaves the hospital. This insight led her to become interested in how health care teams can better support children and families through the transition from acute care to the community.

Ms Padvaiskas has a background in competitive dance and enjoys staying active through hiking and Pilates. She also loves learning new languages, reading, and creative writing in her spare time. Her interest in Spanish led her to volunteer with MOSAIC, where she facilitates English conversation groups for newcomers and assists with Spanish interpretation. She enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds and helping create a welcoming environment where students can gain confidence, improve their communication skills, and use language as a tool to connect with others.

Ms Padvaiskas hopes to attend medical school and eventually pursue a career in pediatric critical care, combining patient care and research to improve the transition from hospital to home for children and their families.

About the award

For more than 20 years, Doctors of BC has presented the scholarship award to children of members in good standing who are completing (or have completed) high school and will be (or are currently) attending a recognized postsecondary institution. For more information, visit www.doctorsofbc.ca/about-us/awards-scholarships/awards-residents-students-community.