On 24 January 2015, six medical students from the Universities of Alberta and Calgary were presented with the John N. Hnatuik Rural Medical Student Bursary for 2014-15. The Hnatuik bursary, named in honour of the late Dr. John Hnatuik, former physician and Skills Broker at RPAP, provides full tuition including differential fees for each year of medical studies to reduce the financial burden faced by rural medical students and their families.
Ms. Joan Noonan, daughter of Dr. Hnatuik, and granddaughter, Ms. Cydney Yaremko, were on hand at the 2015 AMSCAR conference in Banff to present the bursary and acknowledge this year’s recipients:
University of Alberta
- James Welke – Pincher Creek, AB
- Paras Satija – Campbellton, NB
- Bryan Frobb – Hanna, AB
- Branden Ayotte – Drayton Valley, AB
University of Calgary
- Emma Curran – Ponoka, AB
- Joey Quevillon – Iroquois Falls, ON
Recipients of the Dr. John Hnatuik award are evaluated based upon their volunteer and work experience; and their commitment to practising in a rural Alberta community for three years upon completion of their residency. The Bursary is available to Alberta residents, or permanent resident of Canada living in Alberta, enrolled in any year of Medical degree program at the University of Alberta, and University of Calgary:
The Hnatuik award is named for Dr. John Hnatuik, who passed away suddenly on Feb. 25, 2010, only two months after retiring from his Skills Broker position at RPAP. “Doctor John”, as he was known, was highly involved in medicine, medical politics and community affairs in the town of Provost, where he practiced medicine for 43 years. A distinguished physician, Dr. Hnatuik was elected President of the Alberta Medical Association in 1984 – 1985, and received the AMA Medal for Distinguished Service in 1998. As an RPAP Skills Broker, “Dr. John” worked diligently to maintain and enhance the skill level of rural Northern Alberta physicians, helping them to continue meeting the medical needs of their community.
Photo: Paras Satija accepts a certificate from Ms. Joan Noonan and Ms. Cydney Yaremko at the 2015 AMSCAR Convention. (Lucas Warren / RPAP)