College grad credits volunteerism for her academic excellence

Larissa Darrah credits her nearly two years of volunteer service with the Lunenburg County Community Health Board (CHB) for playing a key role in her academic success.

The Bridgewater resident graduated with honours from the medical office administration program at the Nova Scotia Community College. She was also valedictorian at the Bridgewater campus and landed the President’s Award to go along with her 98 per cent average.

Originally from Ontario, Larissa, an artist and illustrator, first learned about Lunenburg County’s CHB while attending a local volunteer fair where she was looking for ways to build administrative experience in a medical setting.

"I was interested in volunteering at the hospital specifically, so I went to a volunteer fair. It was there I found the community health board table and met the co-ordinator. She told me all about it and I was like, 'This is actually amazing, I would love to help with this too,.'” Larissa explains.

Joining the board offered her a unique window into public health, community navigation and preventive healthcare. During her time with the CHB, she took on multiple leadership roles, serving as board secretary, drafting advocacy letters, taking meeting minutes and leading recruitment efforts at community events across the region.

"Community health boards are a testament to the fact that we can accomplish more together than we could ever do alone," she says, noting her tenure provided a vital platform for her to sharpen her networking and public speaking skills. "My experience with the Lunenburg County Community Health Board has been unique and beneficial to my future career.”

Unlike direct hospital volunteering, CHBs focus on wellness and health promotion at the grassroots level, supporting regional programs before patients ever require acute care. This proactive approach allowed Larissa to act as a community connector, linking residents to health and wellness resources across the South Shore.

She continues to volunteer at Bridgewater’s South Shore Regional Hospital, where she helps orient junior volunteers and supports friendly visitor programs.

Following a successful clinical placement, Larissa secured a position as a casual ward clerk in inpatient psychiatry at the Bridgewater hospital, while also taking on casual administrative roles in ambulatory care.

Larissa views her time on the community health board as an essential bridge that connected her personal passions with public service. She encourages other students and young professionals to consider stepping into CHB roles to build professional skills, expand their networks and make a tangible difference in community health.

To learn more about, or join, your local community health board (CHB) visit Community Health boards. 

Photo of Larissa Darrah.