BMO Financial Group has announced a $150,000 contribution towards the education and retention of physicians in northern communities.

BMO Financial Group’s donation to the Northern Medical Programs Trust is part of a major fundraising initiative involving 25 communities throughout northern BC to provide financial assistance and incentives to students enrolled in the Northern Medical Program. To date, about $2.2 million has been raised.

BMO Bank of Montreal has played a key role in the establishment and development of UNBC since its inception – providing financial support over the years to the start-up capital campaign, an Aboriginal scholarship endowment fund, the DNA sequencer for genetic research, and the Bentley Centre.

 “We strive to build trusted relationships with the communities where we do business and we are proud to support this innovative program at UNBC to train physicians in northern BC,” said Richard Rudderham, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal for BC and Yukon Division. “The Northern Medical Programs Trust is unique in Canada and quite visionary. By training physicians in the North, they will be more likely to practice in northern and rural communities after they graduate from medical school.”

“This generous donation by BMO Financial Group to the Northern Medical Programs Trust demonstrates the longstanding and outstanding relationship that exists between BMO and UNBC,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “We are grateful for this financial support that will enhance the well-being of citizens in our northern communities.” 

The Northern Medical Program has a particular focus on educating future doctors who have both the skills and the attitude necessary to practice in northern communities. It is part of the expanded UBC Faculty of Medicine, and uses state-of-the-art technology in the delivery of the curriculum.

As one the country’s leading corporate donors, BMO Financial Group contributed $29 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in 2004, supporting hundreds of charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. 

Contact:

Laurie Grant, BMO Financial Group, Vancouver, 604-665-7596 or Andy Clough, BMO Bank of Montreal, Prince George, 250-565-8683

or Robert van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622