Colonel Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut arguably as famous for his skill with guitar, camera, and social media as he is for his leadership and aerospace accomplishments, will make his first visit to Northern BC this spring to headline the 10th Annual Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture and Dinner. The event is held annually to honour Dr. Bob Ewert, the first medical specialist in Prince George, and is a fundraiser for the Northern Medical Programs Trust, a partnership that supports students today who will improve the quality of health care in the North tomorrow.

Earlier this year, Hadfield made international headlines by becoming the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, by conducting zero-gravity science lessons for earthbound children, and for his brilliant photographs, communicated primarily through micro-blogging site Twitter, where he has nearly a million followers. His zero-gravity music video, a cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity has been viewed more than 17 million times on YouTube.

“Not only is Colonel Hadfield a Canadian hero, but he’s one of the greatest ambassadors Canada has ever produced,” says Dr. David Nelson, president of Northern Medical Society. “Someone of his calibre, the first Canadian to walk in space, and the first Canadian ever to receive both a military and civilian Meritorious Service Cross, will make an exemplary keynote speaker for this worthy event, which has become one of the premiere evenings in the calendars of Northern BC.”

Each year, the Ewert Dinner features a celebrated lecturer and inductions into the Northern Medical Society Hall of Fame. Previous lecturers have included environmentalist David Suzuki, journalist Gwynn Dyer, and writer and explorer Wade Davis. In addition, the Rising Star Award will recognize a current student planning to pursue a professional career in northern health care.

"The Ewert lecture has become an important fundraiser and friend-raiser for UNBC,” says UNBC Development Manager, Katherine Scouten. “Over the past decade, it has become one of the most anticipated annual events in Prince George and has attracted more than 5,000 attendees.  It has also become the largest annual appeal for the Northern Medical Programs Trust.”

The Trust has provided more than 300 grants to some 200 students since inception, and helps students integrate unique clinical experiences in the north with their health care education at UNBC.  Because of these experiences, graduates are choosing to live and work in the region.

The Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture and Dinner is presented by the Northern Medical Society, UNBC, the Prince George Community Foundation, and Northern Health, and will be held on Saturday April 5, 2014 at the Prince George Civic Centre. Tickets cost $125 each or $1,000 for a table of 10, and are available from the Office of External Relations at UNBC at 250.960.5750, or at development@unbc.ca. Click the link below for more information, including sponsorship opportunities.