A beloved doctor who served the Altona area for decades continues to give back to the community through an annual scholarship in his name.
The Altona and District Health Care Board presents the Dr. S. S. Toni Scholarship award each year to a resident of Rhineland, Altona, or Montcalm who is pursuing a health-related career. The 2026 scholarship was recently awarded to Heidi Braun by board members Brad Braun and Craig Smiley.
“Receiving this scholarship is incredible,” said Heidi Braun, who will study nursing at Brandon University this fall. “It opens opportunities, and it opens doors for kids like myself to be able to pursue post secondary education without as much stress about the financial need.”
Dr. Stephen S. Toni, who passed away in 2008, was a prominent family physician in Altona who practiced for 45 years from 1938 to 1983, a time during which it is estimated he delivered over 4,000 babies.
Following his retirement, the Dr. S.S. Toni Scholarship Fund was established to support local residents pursuing health-related careers.
“We’re just very fortunate to have this in place,” said Smiley. “And it continues to grow.
“I think it’s very important to give young people a good start,” he said. “This is a gift that Dr. Toni left behind that continues his legacy and it helps young people get a start in either becoming a nurse or a doctor.”
The scholarship this year was valued at $900. Braun said every bit of support is valuable, and she is especially motivated to get into the health care field given her own health challenges.
“I’ve been a cancer patient myself for the past 10 years, so it’s definitely something that pulls at my heart,” she said. “I can see myself in that role and helping care for other children and being a support for them and for the families as well.”
Smiley noted Braun’s application in which she detailed her passion to help others really stood out.
“She’s had health issues herself, and she wants to be in the medical field,” he said. “She knows what people need … she knows what it takes to be a good nurse.”
The hope is scholarship recipients may one day consider returning home to practice, Smiley noted.
“We sure hope so. If some of that turns around and benefits this area, that would be nice.”
