A shared commitment to rural health

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing and philanthropist Mr. Ron Belsher (BComm’68) share a common passion: ensuring that communities in rural Saskatchewan have access to high-quality healthcare.

Thanks to extraordinary gifts from Mr. Belsher to USask College of Nursing, nurse practitioner students, as well as Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, will be one step closer to achieving their goal of providing care in rural Saskatchewan.

Mr. Belsher may have left the family farm in southern Saskatchewan and moved to Saskatoon to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree—but even after building a successful 32-year career as a chartered accountant in Calgary, Alberta, he never forgot his roots in a small rural community.

Now retired, Mr. Belsher is committed to giving back to the University of Saskatchewan and supporting rural communities, like the one he grew up in.

The Ron Belsher Rural Nurse Practitioner Award provides financial support and recognizes good academic standing to registered nurses who are entering or continuing in the USask Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program in a rural community in Saskatchewan.

“I believe nurse practitioners play a vital role in addressing the primary care needs of underserved communities,” said Mr. Belsher.

“I’ve seen first-hand the challenges those in rural communities face when trying to access healthcare and in many cases the healthcare team is limited—especially in areas without a physician. With their advanced nursing education and extended scope of practice, nurse practitioners are an invaluable part of providing quality healthcare in rural Saskatchewan.”  

The Ron Belsher Rural Nurse Practitioner Award is a gift of $400,000, awarding two $5,000 awards per year starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. 

“I am a proud USask alumnus, and I wanted to give back to the university that shaped my path and make a meaningful impact on the province I once called home,” said Mr. Belsher.

“Giving back to the community is a value my parents deeply instilled in me.”

In addition to the nurse practitioner award, Mr. Belsher has also committed $100,000 to establish the Ron Belsher Rural and Remote Placement Awards for undergraduate students.

Two awards of $2,000 per year will be given starting in the 2025-2026 academic year to provide financial support for undergraduate students in their fourth year of study, who are participating in a placement in a rural or remote community. These awards will help cover travel, food, and accommodation expenses to increase the accessibility for urban students to do rural and remote placements.

The College of Nursing and Mr. Belsher share a commitment to the belief that students should have the opportunity to learn where they live—so they stay and practice in their communities where they complete their nursing program.

“We know that if our students do their nursing education in a rural community and become a registered nurse, they are also likely to practice in the community afterwards,” said College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur).

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support Mr. Belsher is providing with these awards,” said Dr. Richter. “His generosity is truly transforming the lives of our students. These awards help ease financial burdens, allowing students to focus on their studies and clinical practice.”

At the heart of Mr. Belsher’s gift is not only the desire to give back to the University of Saskatchewan and to make a meaningful impact on healthcare in rural communities, but to show his deep support for the nursing profession. His sister, Pat (BSN’67), was a registered nurse who retired in 2008 and often spoke with great pride about her education, the profession, and the rewarding career she had as a registered nurse. Ron’s daughter Heather has worked as a licensed practical nurse for 30 years, specializing as an operating room nurse.

“I truly believe these awards to the College of Nursing will benefit students who will go on to be wonderful registered nurses and nurse practitioners, strengthening the health and wellbeing of Saskatchewan’s rural communities,” concluded Mr. Belsher.

Article originally published at https://nursing.usask.ca