|
|
Northern Medical Programs Trust
Responding to a Critical Need
 | | Marylin Davies,
President of the Northern Medical Programs Trust (in foreground) with
students in the first entering class of the NMP, at the official
opening of the Northern Health Sciences Centre on August 17, 2004. |
The Northern Medical Programs Trust (NMPT) is an
important partnership of northern communities with UNBC to support the
Northern Medical Program (NMP) and its future students. Over 20
northern communities have partnered with UNBC, with an understanding
that training and retaining health care professionals in the North, for
the North, is the best strategy for ensuring a long term solution to
the physician shortage in Northern communities.
These communities have pledged to provide fundraising support to the
Program. The fundraising amount for each community is based on their
population. While UNBC manages the fund, a community-based Board of
Directors provides fundraising assistance, determines the fund
allocation criteria and conditions, and advises the University on
health care issues.
Providing quality health care will have a direct impact on the economic
stability, quality of life and sustainability of Northern communities.
The NMP is a great example of how health care education is an absolute
requirement to revitalizing northern BC.
Under the campaign "Responding to a Critical Need," the NMPT is raising
funds to establish an endowment of $6 million by 2007. This permanent
fund will generate approximately $300,000 in annual interest that will
be used to provide financial assistance to medical students who are
interested in practicing in rural communities.
Leadership from Northern Communities
To date, each of the following northern communities has officially
subscribed to raise funds to assist future students in the program.
Many northern communities have also endorsed the NMPT but have yet
to officially subscribe to their community's pledge. Other communities
are also considering their own commitments.
Each community will develop a fundraising committee or other structure
to raise funds for their pledge by 2008. Their pledge amounts are based
on their population.
Click here to download the pledge list, which includes each community's pledge and key contacts.
Supporting Health Sciences Programs
The goal of the NMPT is to ensure that students are able to pursue
education in health care by providing them with a unique
made-in-the-north solution. The financial assistance provided by the
NMPT will help offset some of the significant costs and debt incurred
by medical students and students in other health sciences programs.
Students in the Northern Medical Program in particular, face
significant financial challenges since they will be spending time at
UBC, UNBC and in communities throughout the north during their
training. It is estimated that the total annual cost of education
(including tuition, books, travel etc.) for a medical student in the
NMP will be over $25,000.
How to Donate to the Trust
You can help support the future of health care in the North by
contributing to the "Responding to a Critical Need" campaign. The NMTP
is seeking financial support from individual residents, service
organizations, governments, major corporations and others with
operations in Northern communities. Donations of all sizes and types
will be accepted.
To contribute and help fulfill your community's pledge, download the following donations form. Complete the form and return it along with you donation to:
University of Northern British Columbia
Office of University Development
3333 University Way
Prince George, BC
V2N4Z9
Or you can make your donation over the phone by calling (250) 960-5750
or toll free at 1-866-960-5750. Donation and pledge forms may also be
faxed to (250) 960-5799.
You may also reach us by email at nmpt@unbc.ca.
Opportunities also exist for naming or other related recognition
methods for donations made in support of teaching technologies and
facilities within the new Northern Health Sciences Centre. For more
information on these and other giving opportunities to UNBC, click here.
|
|
