March 27, 2006

Northern BC’s ability to attract, educate, and retain physicians hasimproved thanks to a $100,000 donation to the Northern Medical ProgramsTrust, announced today by RBC.

With the donation, the total funds raised by the Trust have reached $3.7 million.

The Northern Medical Programs Trust is a partnership involving UNBC andtwo-dozen northern communities, with the aim of raising a $6 millionendowment. The RBC contribution is being divided among all of thenorthern communities where the bank has operations:  100 MileHouse, Burns Lake, Dawson Creek, Fort St. James, Fort St. John,Houston, Kitimat, Mackenzie, New Hazelton, Prince George, PrinceRupert, Quesnel, Smithers, Terrace, Vanderhoof, and Williams Lake.

"The vitality of northern BC's communities is very important to all ofus who live here and RBC shares this commitment," says Don Kehler RBCRegional Vice-President Commercial Banking. "The Northern MedicalProgram is an exciting new development that has the potential to makesignificant contributions to the entire region. We're privileged to bepart of it."

“RBC has been a longtime supporter of UNBC, contributing to theArchives of Northern BC, the Library, and student awards,” says UNBCPresident Charles Jago. “With this gift, RBC’s total investment withUNBC is $370,000.  We’re fortunate to have such a dedicatedcorporate partner.”

The Northern Medical Program is a partnership between UBC and theUniversity of Northern British Columbia and is an integral part of theexpansion of UBC's Faculty of Medicine. The goal of the program is totrain physicians in the north for rural and northern practice. Thereare currently 49 students in the NMP.

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