This weekend UNBC saw the Northern Medical Program celebrate the graduation of its 5th class of doctors.
 
This year’s graduating class has the highest number of UNBC-originated undergraduates from any year so far: eight of the 31 students who are graduating from the NMP were UNBC undergrads before entering the program.
 
“I think it’s quite remarkable the continual increase we see of those students who start as undergraduates here at UNBC and then move into medicine at UBC- accepted into the Northern Medical Program,” comments Dr. Geoffrey Payne, Interim VP Medicine, UNBC, Regional Associate Dean, UBC. “It speaks to the exceptional quality of education they’re receiving at UNBC. This University is ranked top three in Canada for primarily undergraduate studies for a reason, and we’re producing top students as a result.”
 
Students received their NMP shingle carved out of pine beetle wood, and their long coats, which replaces the short white coats they receive as students and represents their transition from students to medical doctors.
 
Dr. Gregory Marcotte, UNBC undergraduate and Prince George resident was the recipient of the Dr. Joe Sidorov Award of Excellence in Internal Medicine, an award that recognizes outstanding academic achievement for a student continuing in the field of internal medicine.
 
Dr. Ashlee King from Fruitvale was awarded the Dr. Tony Eckersley Memorial Award, recognizing a student that demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and exemplifies the qualities and approach to family medicine that Dr. Eckersley embodied.