Burns Lake has become only the second community in northern British Columbia to fulfill its pledge to the Northern Medical Programs Trust, a fundraising initiative to support students in the Northern Medical Program. The accomplishment was marked today by UNBC President Don Cozzetto, who was in Burns Lake as part of a tour of communities in northwestern BC.

Combining local efforts with some corporate fundraising led by UNBC, Burns Lake’s total contribution to the NMPT currently stands at just over $65,700 – significantly higher than its pledge of $53,060. More than two-dozen northern BC communities have made pledges to the NMPT based on their populations. The pledge amounts range from $7500 (Wells) to $2 million (Prince George) with the goal of raising a total endowment of $6 million. To date, a total of $3.8 million has been raised. This year, $50,000 was awarded to the students in the Northern Medical Program.

“I would like to say ‘Thank you’ to the citizens of the Lakes District for their generous support of this program,” says Burns Lake Mayor Bernice Magee. “The fund-raising team – a committee of community members – has been assisted by the local schools, businesses, industry, and a great majority of local individuals, all of whom have contributed to this trust fund. I am pleased to say that we have now completed our obligation and look forward to seeing the dollars at work in our community.”

“This community has been exemplary in its local fundraising efforts and the students are benefiting most,” says Dr. Cozzetto. “UNBC extends a heartfelt thank you to the citizens of Burns Lake, to Mayor Bernice Magee, and her predecessor, Paul Jean. The whole North will benefit from the Northern Medical Program and this Trust.”

The Northern Medical Program is part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine delivered in partnership with UNBC. The program is vital to meeting the critical need of northern communities for health care professionals. The curriculum is being delivered through a combination of cutting-edge videoconference and internet technology, face-to-face instruction, and learning from local doctors in various health care settings throughout northern BC.