THUNDER BAY – Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) are pleased to accept substantial gifts from Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine. The value of the Barrick Gold gift is $150,000, but with matching funds from the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS), the total value of the gift is raised to $235,000. This donation makes a significant contribution to learning and healthcare in Northern Ontario.
The gift will be used to establish an endowed Barrick Gold Graduate Scholarship valued at $100,000, with $50,000 coming from Barrick Gold and $50,000 from matching funds through OTSS. This Scholarship will be awarded to a Lakehead graduate student with financial need who is focused on mining issues with preference given to persons of Aboriginal heritage.
As well, a total of $100,000 will go to support the work of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. This portion of the gift is made up of a number of components:
- Creation of a $10,000 Learner Suite in Marathon with exam rooms, office and study space, and a Learner/Resident suite;
- A technology infrastructure upgrade of $15,000 at the Wilson Memorial Hospital and the Marathon Family Health Centre in Marathon;
- A NOSM Student Bursary of $70,000 (with $35,000 coming from Barrick Gold and $35,000 in matching funds from the OTSS), which will be available to NOSM learners with roots in Marathon;
- A $25,000 Award to help fund recruitment initiatives for family physicians who wish to set up a practice in Marathon; and
- $15,000 to support a Rural Remote Health Medical Conference.
“As a part of the communities where we operate, Barrick Gold seeks to help build the priorities those communities set for themselves,” said Jamie Sokalsky, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Barrick Gold Corporation. “So it’s very satisfying to support the expansion of expertise and delivery in health care. I know that health care is a major priority in Northwestern Ontario, and I am confident the projects announced today will make a difference to a wide number of people across a wide part of the region. Operations like our Hemlo mine give us roots in this community, and so this opportunity was one we were happy to have. Barrick Gold has a long tradition of supporting higher education. Having been born, raised, and educated at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, it’s very satisfying to me personally to be able to announce this investment today on behalf of Barrick Gold.”
“The availability of significant financial support is often the single most influential factor for students of excellence when choosing a university. Lakehead is uniquely positioned to offer Northwestern Ontario students advanced training in fields that will benefit the current mining renaissance taking place throughout the North. Barrick Gold is demonstrating real leadership in the field and in the region with this comprehensive gift,” says Dr. Brian J.R. Stevenson, President, Lakehead University.
Dr. Roger Strasser, Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, is grateful to Barrick Gold for helping to advance the dream of a healthier North. “Contributions supporting NOSM’s distributed model of medical education and student bursaries are long-term investments in better health care for Northern Ontarians.” He continued, “We are very grateful to Barrick Gold for being part of the solution, and for the support they have shown NOSM, our learners, our partners in Marathon, and the Medical School’s mission to educate high quality physicians and health professionals.”
Lakehead University is pleased to partner with corporations like Barrick Gold that share its belief in responsible resource development and in improving access to education and services throughout Northern Ontario.
BACKGROUNDER
Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine
Lakehead University and Northern Ontario School of Medicine Gift
Graduate Scholarship $50,000
An investment of $50,000 will create an endowed Graduate Scholarship, Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine to provide meaningful financial assistance, existing in perpetuity, to support students here in our region. Preference will be given to individuals of Aboriginal heritage and individuals focused on mining issues. The Ontario Student Support Fund (OTSS) will match the gift, doubling the value to equal $100,000.
The Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine Learner Suite $10,000
The creation of the Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine Learner Suite located in Marathon, will provide a “pod” of 4 exam rooms, and include a learner suite. The Learner/Resident suite will provide office/study space and a lounge area.
Technology Infrastructure Upgrade $15,000
These funds will upgrade the technical infrastructure at the Wilson Memorial Hospital and the Marathon Family Health Centre. This includes the addition of Smartboard interactive equipment and collaborative polycom equipment.
The Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine (NOSM) Bursary $35,000
The Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine Bursary recipient will be a NOSM learner whose roots are from Marathon with an interest in establishing a practice in a northern rural community. The endowed funds’ interest will be awarded annually to a qualifying NOSM learner. The Ontario Student Support Fund (OTSS) will match the gift, doubling the value to equal $70,000.
The Barrick Gold Corporation – Hemlo Mine Award $25,000 (Recruitment Initiative)
Research evidence shows that students who come from rural areas and who undertake their undergraduate and postgraduate education in rural areas are most likely to become rural physicians. This award is provided as an incentive to a family medicine physician who expresses an interest to establish a practice in Marathon. This is an endowed award, with the annually accrued interest disbursed.
Rural Remote Health Medical Conference $15,000
The Rural Remote Healthcare Medical Conference will focus on the unique healthcare issues and opportunities of medical professionals in rural remote communities. This conference will provide healthcare professionals from rural remote communities the opportunity to focus on collaborative partnerships and the distinctive features of practicing in the North.