February 21, 2001 For Immediate Release

Following a three-day workshop in Prince George, The University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia are proposing to develop a detailed costing and curriculum plan for the Northern Medical Program. The universities will be seeking funding from the BC Government to undertake the detailed plan.

A planning group made up of representatives from UBC, UNBC, and the community will provide details concerning the proposed program curriculum, admission requirements, student recruitment, facility needs, and necessary faculty resources. It's expected that such a plan will be complete by the end of 2001.

"The Northern Medical Program planning workshop that ended today helped to create a common understanding of the possibilities of such a program," says Gordon Page, the Head of Educational Support for the UBC Medical School. "Over the past three days, we learned from a broad spectrum of programs, gained mutual understanding of the programs at UBC and UNBC, and committed to developing a more detailed plan that will be necessary for us to implement this new program."

"All of the people attending this workshop - local doctors, aboriginal representatives, health board officials, government reps, and educators - share the vision for expanding physician training opportunities in the North and that's very significant," says Deborah Poff, UNBC Vice-President Academic. "The commitment from everyone involved to help us will ensure that the program relevant to northern and rural areas."

More than 30 people attended the planning workshop at UNBC. Attendees included UBC and UNBC reps, officials from government ministries, health board reps and local doctors, and officials from successful rural medical training programs in Norway, eastern Canada, and Michigan.

The Northern Medical Program is a partnership between UBC and UNBC that is aiming to provide rural physician training to between 15-20 students starting by 2004. More information about the proposed program is available at www.unbc.ca/nmp.

For further information, contact:
Hilary Thomson, Communications Coordinator, UBC Public Affairs Dept. (604) 822-2644, or