More than 300 people attended an event in Prince George today thatwas described by Deputy Premier Shirley Bond as a milestone in thedevelopment of Northern British Columbia.

23students were recognized for being the first graduates of the NorthernMedical Program, an innovative response to the critical shortage ofphysicians in northern/rural communities in northern BC and acrossCanada. The program is part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine anddelivered in collaboration with the University of Northern BritishColumbia. By training doctors in northern BC and giving them exposureto the communities and citizens of northern BC, it's expected that itwill help to produce more doctors who are interested in staying and working in the North after graduation. Dozens of communities across northern region are investing in the program and have donated $6 million in support of the program's students over the past several years.

Asthe students crossed the stage to receive a white doctor's coat andnameplate made out of beetle-infected pine, the loudest cheers from theaudience were for those graduates - about half of the class - who arecompleting residencies in northern/rural settings in BC and acrossCanada. According to David Snadden, Head of the Northern MedicalProgram, it is the success these first graduates have had in acquiringcompetitive residencies across Canada that is proof of the Program'squality and mission.

"The Northern Medical Program class of 2008would not be here without the vision, ingenuity, and dedication of theresidents of northern BC," said Sharona Supernault, an NMP graduate whogrew up in Dawson Creek, BC. In fact, the program has a very shorthistory: the idea was first presented in June 2000 at a rally inPrince George where 6000 people demanded a response to thecritical shortage of physicians that had been plaguing northern andrural communities. Four years ago, the first NMP students began theirstudies and the program was officially kicked off during a ceremony inthe Agora Courtyard at UNBC, the same location as today's graduationcelebration.

"When I think of the NorthernMedical Program and why being trained in the North has been sobeneficial, a few things come to mind," says newly minted Dr.Supernault, who spoke on behalf of the class during the ceremony. "wewere supported by staff who care, we gained great clinical skills, ourteachers knew our names, and we were taught in an environment with areal sense of community."

Although the first NMPgraduates are now officially "doctors," they must complete residency ina particular specialization before they can practice on their own. 70%of the first grad class is completing a residency in family practice,which requires two years of additional training. 

Additional photos and video footage are available. Contact the UNBC Office of Communications.

Contact:

David Snadden, Head of the Northern Medical Program - 250.960.6172

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622

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Dawson Creek grads: Kerry Pandachuck (left) and Sharona Supernault 

Christina Neufeld and Jennifer Douse of Fort Nelson 

 Karen Trueman of Quesnel

Melanie MacNicol of Fraser Lake and Prince Rupert