For students with dreams of a career in health care but who face financial challenges, the road to becoming a doctor, physiotherapist or other health professional can be very difficult, if not impossible.

With your help, the Northern Medical Programs Trust has created the Northern Pathways to Medicine Bursary Program (NP2M) for high school students with a demonstrated financial need. The program includes a bursary to provide monetary support to northern students enrolling at UNBC who are interested in a health care career.

“In addition to funding, Northern Pathways to Medicine also provides a support program for recipients, which includes enrichment activities such as research opportunities and health professions workshops. Mentorship and academic support will also be provided throughout their undergraduate degree,” said Anne Sommerfeld, NP2M Director and Interim Director of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, UNBC. “The goal is to give these students the best possible chance of success when they apply for postgraduate health professions programs.”

Thanks to your support, the bursary provides up to $10,000 per year per student, and is renewable for up to three additional years.

The first two students to enter the NP2M program started their health education journey this past fall at UNBC.

“I’ve been interested in being a doctor since I was around 11 years old,” said Gemma Marchant, NP2M recipient for 2018-19. “Receiving the Pathways bursary as well as being involved in the mentorship programs has been amazing! I hope to pursue a career as either an emergency medicine doctor or a surgeon. I am very thankful for the people who make programs and bursaries such as this possible as they provide hope to those who may not have thought that going to university was even an option.”

To find out more about the Northern Pathways to Medicine Program and how your gift makes a difference, visit unbc.ca/nmpt.