December 13, 2004 for immediate release

With less than one monthto go until the start of classes in the Northern Medical Program, Fort St John doctors are contributing $100,000 to help support future medicalstudents.

“Thismonetary donation to the Northern Medical Programs Trust displays thesupport and commitment we as physicians of Fort St John place in the importanceof training and retaining new physicians in the North, for the Northerncommunities, so that continuity of quality primary health care will continue tobe accessible to all people who live and work here,” says Dr. Kevin Page, President of the Medical Staffand Clinical Instructor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine. There are 21 generalpractitioners and six specialists in Fort St John.

The contribution comes amonth after communities in the North Peace joined together to create the NorthPeace Community Pledge, which is aiming to raise nearly $550,000 to support theTrust. The pledge includes Hudson’sHope, Taylor, and Fort St John, along with Areas B and C of the Peace River Regional District.

“Thisgenerous donation to the Northern Medical Programs Trust demonstratesoutstanding leadership from our medical doctors of Fort St. John.  It represents20% of our goal in the North Peace,” says Kathleen O’Neill, Chair of the North Peace NMPT Support Group. “Iwould like to thank our localphysicians for their commitment to the future health of our residents.” 

The Northern Medical Programs Trust is partnership involving the University of Northern British Columbia and nearly two-dozen communities from aroundnorthern BC. The goal is to create an endowment of $6 million, with differentcommunities pledging different amounts based on their populations. Togetherwith the University, the communities themselves will manage the Trust, anddetermine the criteria for how students will be able to access funds that willhelp them offset the costs of their medical education.

The Northern Medical Program has beencreated by UNBC and UBC to educate physicians in the North, for practice innorthern and rural communities. The first 25 students in the program will starttheir classes in Prince George on January 10, 2005. The program will also include practicalplacements in clinical settings across northern BC.