Patrick Brown, M.P. for Barrie, would like to encourage medical students to participate in the Doctor Recruitment Scholarship Essay Contest. This year’s scholarships are worth $12,000 in total.Through local events, such as MP Brown’s Annual BBQ, Pancake Breakfast and additional fundraising efforts, over $6500 was raised for the scholarship contest.

“Last year, the Doctor Recruitment Scholarship was a huge success and I am pleased that through community events and fundraising efforts we are able to offer greater awards this year,” said MP Brown. “I would like to thank the community for their continued support in raising funds for these students. Through these scholarships we are able to help entice medical students back to Barrie.”

The scholarship is provided in partnership with and sponsored by Greyhound Canada. “Greyhound Canada recognises the need for more family physicians in Barrie and we are honoured to be able to make our contribution to the community,” said Brad Shephard, Senior Vice President for Greyhound Canada.
There are five scholarships to be awarded. The breakdown of the awards is as follows:
• $3000—International Medical Graduate
• $3000—Medical Student
• $3000—Family Medicine Resident
• $1500—General Category (Open, 2 awards)

To qualify for the Doctor Recruitment Scholarship, interested student must submit a 500 word essay on why they want to practice medicine in Barrie. Students must be currently studying medicine, in residency or a foreign trained doctor writing equivalency exams.

Please note the deadline has been extended to March 26, 2008

Local community officials will act as judges for the contest. They include: Doctor Rob Ballagh; RVH Physician Recruitment Coordinator, Christie Cadotte; Barrie City Councillor, Andrew Prince; and MP Patrick Brown.

Click here to download the application package.