Record Crowd Turns Out To Medical Fundraiser

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

3rd Annual Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture, Dinner & Dance

Close to 650 people gathered at the Civic Centre this evening for a gala fundraiser to support students in the Northern Medical Program -- up from 500 last year, and 400 for the inaugural event.

The $100-dollar a plate affair featured the annual Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture given by Dr. David Suzuki and was attended by all three local MLAs, Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson, Quesnel Mayor Nate Bello, Acting Prince George Mayor Brian Skakun, many local physicians and students from all three NMP classes currently at UNBC -- the future grads of 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The evening began with Dr. Donald MacRitchie piping in special guests, including family members of three area physicans to be inducted into the Northern Medical Society Hall of Fame, posthumously.

Dr. MacRitchie reminded attendees of the gathering of the citizens of Prince George less than six years ago, in June of 2001, that spawned what eventually became the Northern Medical Program at UNBC. 

He said this evening was meant to, "celebrate the cooperation of our municipal, our provincial, our cultural and our academic leaders to yield what we are all so proud of tonight."

Funds raised at the event will go to the Northern Medical Programs Trust.  The trust currently hovers around $4-million dollars and the goal is a $6-million dollar endowment that will generate $300-thousand annually in financial assistance for medical students who practise in rural communities.  

More than 20 northern communities have partnered with UNBC in a commitment to raise those funds.

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