Tonight, City Council awarded Skylar Synesael with the 2021 Tim Hickman Memorial Health and Safety Scholarship.
This annual $3,000 scholarship for students in an occupational and/or public health and safety related program was established in 2006 by the City of London and CUPE Locals 101 and 107, as a tribute to employee Tim Hickman, who died in service to the community at age 21.
“Skylar’s commitment to health and safety and to the safety of his coworkers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is very inspiring,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “Skylar’s dedication to serving his community as a frontline health worker makes him an excellent recipient of this scholarship. A sincere thank you to the Hickman family for continuing Tim’s legacy and the commitment to help create a stronger and safer London.”
Skylar’s education and work experience have kept him on the front lines of the healthcare system during COVID-19. Recognizing how important health and safety procedures are to both workers and patients of the healthcare system, Skylar helped implement a mask and PPE disposal process for the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital. Skylar’s disposal process not only helped to reduce the spread of infection but also helped reduce the number of masks headed to local landfills.
“For our family, it’s important that we help prevent future tragedy,” says Shirley Hickman, the mother of Tim Hickman, for whom the scholarship memorializes. “As a PSW, Skylar will have an opportunity to see firsthand where health and safety procedures can be improved, and risk of injury reduced.”
Skylar will receive $3000 to help with his continued studies, as well as a one-year membership to the London chapter of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), which is pleased to support his future health and safety endeavours.