Medical Student Award
The City of Thunder Bay Medical Student Award recognizes and rewards local students who are studying medicine in Canada and who plan to train as family physicians and return to Thunder Bay to practise upon the completion of their training.
2013 Applications Invited
In 2013 there will be four awards of $5000. Applications must be received in full by Friday, June 14, 2013.
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Our People, Our Success
Future Physicians to Return to Their Roots
The Thunder Bay Family Medicine Awards recognize and reward local students who are studying to become family physicians and plan to return to Thunder Bay to practise upon the completion of their training. The 2012 awards were presented to four outstanding medical students who will contribute to the success of our community in the Health Care sector.
JACQUELINE EDWARDS
Dr Edwards is in her first year of Family Medicine Residency in Thunder Bay. Previously she graduated from Lakehead University with a HBSc in Physical Anthropology and her medical degree was obtained at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Throughout her university career, Jacqueline has worked both over the summer and throughout the school year. She has worked at Lafarge Canada, been a research assistant at Lakehead University, a technical service rep at Thunder Bay Insurances Services and a Science Camp Group leader at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Dr Edwards has volunteered at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Fracture Clinic and as a Coach of a recreational division team in the Thunder Bay Women’s Hockey Association. Currently she is a big sister in the Thunder Bay Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and is a member of the personal disaster assistance team with the Canadian Red Cross.
Jacqueline’s activities and interests contrast between active sports like ice hockey, water and downhill skiing, SCUBA diving and mountain biking and the more serene iris cultivation.
Jakie’s references describe her as a highly motivated individual who is always trying to better herself as a student and most recently as a physician. She has always been one to put the needs of others before her own needs and doesn’t often ask for help. Jacqueline sustained an injury this past year which for most individuals would have been reason to take a leave of absence from medical school. Jakie would not even consider that as an option as she was very determined to graduate with her fellow classmates. This injury really gave her perspective on the role of a Family Physician in advocating for the patients and her reference believes this experience will benefit her in her role as a Family Physician.
Dr Edwards fully intends to practice in Thunder Bay once she has completed her residency. There are several reasons for this decision but first and foremost is her family. Unfortunately and sadly Dr Edwards father passed away unexpectedly at the beginning of her academic career. Because of this life altering incident, Jacqueline is naturally closer to her family and would like to remain in close proximity to them when she starts to practice medicine.
By staying in Thunder Bay, Dr Edwards hopes to maintain a healthy work life balance while enjoying her family medicine practice along side her family and outdoor interests.
The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to present Jacqueline Edwards with the Family Medicine Award.
PATRICIA LYLE
At her graduation from Lakehead University where she was confirred with an HBSc in Applied Biomolecular Science First Class Standing, Patricia Lyle also received the Lakehead President’s Undergraduate Award, which is awarded to one graduating student for academic commitment, community involvement and voluntary university contributions. Ms Lyle is currently in her 3rd year at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Patricia is a very active volunteer in our community. For over 5 years she volunteered at Hogarth Riverview Manor providing feeding assistance and Life Enrichment programs. While working on her undergraduate degree at Lakehead Univeristy, Ms Lyle was a Student Ambassador Leader aiding in university transition, organizing orientation events and because she was entrusted with this leadership role, she was chosen as a school representative for national conferences. She has organized various fundraisers for Special Olympics and volunteered to provide medical coverage during the event held in Thunder Bay. While in her first year in medical school Patricia was the class representative for the NOSM Student Society (West Campus), was a member of the Academic Week Planning Committee and Co-organizer of the Christmas Semi Formal. In yet another way to give back to NOSM, Patricia interviewed potential student candidates during the NOSM 2012 interview process.
As an accomplished writer and author, Patricia composed various short stories and poems to heighten awareness of disease and rural medicine, winning the 2011 Fibromyalgia Essay contest. Additionally she promoted diversity during International Day of Pink and won the poetry contest with a personal composition on diversity.
Since May 2009 Ms Lyle has been involved with indoor and outdoor Ulitmate Frisbee and was elected “Spirit Captain” for ongoing, positive attitude and encouragement. She has taught dance and provided mentorship to students, working as part of team preparing for international competitions and workshops. Patricia has also won the Sylvia Horne Scholarship in dance.
While still an undergrad student at Lakehead University, Patricia won first place with her student research project with the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute. Her award was due to new discovery and publication on potential advancements for PET scan imaging in diagnosis and tracking Parkinson progression.
In another way to “pay it forward”, Ms Lyle hopes to one day help other individuals in the community to follow their dreams and pursue a medical degree, by contributing to funding efforts that support local training.
The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to present Patricia Lyle with the Family Medicine Award.
MICHAEL MASON
If ever there was a list of students determined to be a physician, specifically trained at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, I’d wager that Mr Michael Mason’s name would be near the top of that list. Michael applied, interviewed and was waitlisted for three consecutive years before his successful admittance. Michael’s first degree was Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queens University followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Lakehead University where he was the Valedictorian.
Mr Mason was involved in competitive minor hockey and baseball until his late teenage years. He played for the Junior Jacks baseball system, which provided competition in baseball at a high level and opportunities to speak with professional Major League Baseball teams about options following high school. Michael’s athletic ability garnered him Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All-Canadian at Queens University where he competed with their varsity men’s volleyball team.
Since returning to Thunder Bay and during his time at Lakehead University, Michael sang for the Lakehead Vocal Ensemble and Opera Studio where he played the role of Figaro. Recently he auditioned for a role in the upcoming Mirvish Production of Les Miserables in Toronto which he credits his incredible vocal coaching at Lakehead University & privately in Thunder Bay. His involvement in music has proudly allowed him to co-found and perform in the successful NOSM Holiday Concert which has raised well over $15,000 for local medical charities in Thunder Bay over the past three years, including the new cardiac catheterization lab at TBRHSC, the Friends of Olivia Foundation and the Underground Gym.
In order to support himself at various times through his academic career, Mr Mason has worked as a server at the Keg and as a seasonal Parks Labourer with the City of Thunder Bay.
Although Michael has had the opportunity to complete medical electives and clerkship in various smaller and northern Ontario communities, with his wife and family in Thunder Bay he looks forward to the day when he can turn the key to his new medical office in Thunder Bay.
As one of his references stated: “In nursing I came to know the old adage, “would you have this person look after your mother?” Mike is a role model to his fellow future physicians, and I would not hesitate to have him look after any of my family.”
The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to present Michael Mason with the Family Medicine Award.
MARLENA TASSONE
When Ms Marlena Tassone graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Science degree, she did so with as the highest ranking student in her program and was thus awarded the Dean Braun’s Medal in Psychology. She also holds a Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lakehead University and is currently in her final year of medicine at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
As a cancer survivor Ms Tassone gained a greater appreciation for the medical profession, both the science and the art of medicine. Her experiences as a cancer patient: receiving bad news, subsequent investigations, treatments and other adversities has made her a more empathetic person.
Marlena’s volunteer experiences are many and varied. They include being an Emergency Responder with the Lakehead University Emergency First Response Team, an Admission Assessor for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, a Tutor & Note Taker with the Lakehead University Learning Assistance Centre and a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Intergenerational Art Program. However it appears that her greatest volunteer commitment was with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre where she provided close to 200 hours of her time. While at TBRHSC Marlena served in three areas, the Goodnight Program, Pediatrics and Surgical Day Care. One of her references explained that Marlena excelled in Surgical Day Care where she was well liked and respected by the staff. To this day she still stops by the unit to say hello.
Marlena has been funding her education on her own. Working her first & second year of university at Medi-Plus while her third & fourth years were spent doing research in the molecular biology laboratory at Lakehead University. Since high school she has applied for scholarships to help fund her studies as well. With seven years of education already completed it is important that her final years of medical training be as free as possible of financial work.
For over 24 years Marlena has lived, worked and played in Thunder Bay. She has completed all of her education here. She has grown up in the city and enjoys the quality of life our community has to offer. Her family and friends, the people who matter the most to her, live in Thunder Bay. It is for those reasons she will choose to establish her family practice in Thunder Bay upon the completion of her training.
The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to present Marlena Tassone with the Family Medicine Award.
Community Services
| Address: |
Victoriaville Civic Centre 111 Syndicate Ave South Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S4 |
| Tel: | (807) 625-2247 |
| Email: | carmstrong@thunderbay.ca |
Cheryl Armstrong - Community Relations Coordinators
