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.
2011 Applications Invited
In 2011 there will be four awards of $5000. Applications must be received in full by June 15, 2011.
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Our People, Our SuccessFuture 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 2010 awards were presented to four outstanding medical students who will contribute to the success of our community in the Health Care sector.
ALLISON CARROLL COUTTS
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Allison Carroll Coutts graduated from Fort William Collegiate Institute before graduating from Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing with First Class Standing. She has also graduated from the Primary Health Care NP Program at Lakehead University.
In addition to being an outstanding student and nurse, Allison is an extremely accomplished athlete. She was the World Nordic Women’s Ski Jumping Champion, Canadian National Women’s Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Champion from 1989-1996, placed 4th at the Canadian National Track Cycling Championships, set a Provincial Record as the Alberta Road 40k Time Trial Champion, as well as Overall Women’s Road, Individual Time Trial, Cross Country Mountain and Downhill Mountain Bike Champion in Thunder Bay from 2004 – 2009.
Allison and her husband Brian own and operate a bike and ski shop. n addition to sharing their knowledge of cycling and skiing with their customers, they have been instrumental in the development of local trails. They also participate in mountain bike instruction, a downhill biking series and an annual fundraiser for the Parkinson’s Society of Canada.
As you can see, Allison is a very focused and determined young woman. In addition to attending the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, she continues to work as an NP to help support their retail business. She is also a dedicated athlete. And, amazingly, she has done all of these things while having donated a kidney to her mother.
TONY VALENTE
Tony Valente has lived in and and attended school in Thunder Bay his entire life. He obtained an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Science in Kinesiology from Lakehead University.
Prior to attending the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Tony was a teacher in Thunder Bay.
Tony is also quite an accomplished athlete. While in high school he played soccer, basketball and football where he was Hammarskjold’s Midget, Junior and twice Senior athlete of the year. Also during that time he played baseball at the all-star and provincial levels. Tony qualified for the Ontario University Athletics Track and Field Championships for 5 consecutive years, and was Lakehead University Men’s Track and Field Most Valuable Athlete three times. When Tony started out with the Thunder Bay Chill soccer team in 2000 he was part of a team that started near the bottom of their division. Eventually they rose to become division, conference, and in 2008 the North American Champions!
Although it took Tony Valente several attemps to be accepted into the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, he is determined to complete his studies and provide health care to the citizens of his home town.
LAUREN SINNEMAKI
Lauren Sinnemaki is currently attending her 3rd year of medicine at the University of Manitoba. Previously she graduated from St Ignatius High School and Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomolecular Science.
Lauren’s references highlight her compassion for those in need and her drive to succeed; both of these characteristics are evident in her volunteer activities.
Lauren's community involvement includes athletic pursuits, academic activities and the arts.
She has also authored and co-authored a number of research papers and posters from 2007 through 2010. Her work has been presented as posters at the AGM of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists and the Canadian Chemistry Conference & Exhibition.
Lauren said she is drawn to Family Medicine because of the wide scope of practice it covers. She would like the ability to follow her patients throughout their lifetime of health and illness rather than simply seeing snapshots of their life.
Although she has been studying in Winnipeg for the past 2 years, Thunder Bay will always be home to Lauren. She considers herself to be incredibly fortunate to have the support of her family and friends.
AARON SPOONER
Aaron Spooner’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Applied Bio-Molecular Science was earned with First Class Standing from Lakehead University. He followed that up with a Masters of Management from Lakehead University. He is currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba in his 3rd year of medicine.
Aaron was presented with the Youth Volunteer Award from the Government of Ontario in May 2008. Aaron has selflessly volunteered at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre from 2004 in the Renal Department and with the TBRHSC Volunteer Association. Since his acceptance at the University of Manitoba medical school he has been a class representative on various committees and councils.
One of Aaron's references stated, “Aaron is a man of his word and I will look forward to his return to Thunder Bay. Aaron will not just come back to practice medicine. With his strong sense of community he will no doubt be a valuable contributor serving some agency or organization in a leadership capacity. Thunder Bay needs people like Aaron to inspire others to service.”
Community Services
| Address: |
Victoriaville Civic Centre 111 Syndicate Ave South Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S4 |
| Tel: | (807) 625-3155 |
| Email: | nhowardson@thunderbay.ca |
Norine Howardson
Family Physician Recruiter
