Student Awards – Undergraduate Medical Education

CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION’S 150^TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD

This new award was established in June 2017 by the CMA Foundation and is awarded to one student annually on the basis of comprehensive achievement in all educational domains and a demonstrated ability to exemplify the values of professionalism. This includes:  honesty and integrity, respect, responsibility and accountability, commitment to self-improvement and collaboration. It is awarded to an undergraduate student in any year of the Cumming School of Medicine MD Program. One award per year valued at $15,000. The recipient(s) will be notified in January

Professionalism can be demonstrated in the following ways:

• By demonstrating honesty, integrity, altruism, respect, responsibility, and accountability.
• By exhibiting a commitment to self-improvement and collaboration.
• By participating in extra-curricular activities that demonstrate leadership.

Required documents:

1. A curriculum vitae including academic and personal achievements.
2. A personal letter expressing his/her commitment to medical professionalism through acts of collaboration, commitment to self-improvement, responsibility, and accountability. (maximum 1000 words)
3. Two academic letters of reference from faculty and/or preceptors at a post-secondary institution attesting to his/her ability to exemplify the values of the medical profession.

THE ADELE MEYERS AWARD

Adele Meyers served as the Coordinator of Admissions and Student Affairs at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine (Cumming School of Medicine) for 40 years, during which time she acted as an invaluable support to countless medical students and became for many the embodiment of their medical school experience.  The Adele Meyers Award was established as a retirement gift from friends and alumni to Adele upon her retirement in July 2016.

The award will be open to an MD student entering the second or third year of the program in good academic standing. The award(s) will go to an exceptional, humanistic medical student. The next award will be announced by February 2019.

THE GERALD STEWART MEMORIAL AWARD

The Gerald Stewart Memorial Award was established by Calvin and Anne Stewart in memory of their son, Gerald, to recognize medical students with a commitment to athletics, academics, and extra-curricular activity. Gerry was a graduate of the MD class of 2000.  He ran cross-country and track and field for the University of Calgary, and won the national History of Medicine competition during his undergraduate medical degree.  He and his brother Brian went missing in 2003 while climbing Mt. Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain. The award is open to enthusiastic medical students enrolled in the MD program of the University of Calgary who are in good academic standing, demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics and/or extra-curricular activities. The recipient(s) will be notified in January

This may be demonstrated by some of the following:

• Participation in intra-mural or extra-mural athletic activities.
• Participation in volunteer activities.
• Participation in student committees.
• Participation in other extra-curricular activities.
• Other criteria as determined by the Associate Dean (UME) CSM.
• Preference will be given to well-rounded individuals as characterized by a history of extracurricular participation including volunteering, leadership activities, or other similar criteria.
• To be eligible for consideration, applicants must have obtained a satisfactory standing in their studies in the year prior to the award as determined by the Associate Dean (UME).

Required documents:

1. Curriculum vitae including academic and personal achievements.
2. A personal letter expressing his/her commitment to athletics and extra-curricular activities of a maximum of 2 pages.  Please include your student id number.

A letter of reference from a faculty member.  First year students may use a reference from their previous institution if they wish. 

THE JEFFREY MARTIN MEMORIAL AWARD

Are you a second year medical student? You may be eligible to receive the Jeffrey Martin Memorial Award, established by the family, friends, and colleagues of Jeffrey Martin as a tribute to his memory. Jeffrey Martin died on August 15, 2004 while mountain climbing on Mount Athabasca.  In his second year of medical school at the time, Jeff also always found ways to continue the activities he loved, from hiking, to playing the guitar, to baking pies.   He was an inspiration to all who knew him, and lived his life to the fullest every day. The recipient(s) will be notified in January

The awardee will be selected based on some or all the following criteria:  

• Involvement in and contribution to the success of their undergraduate medical school classmates, or the class as a whole;
• Love of outdoor adventure;
• Setting high personal goals;
• Demonstrated commitment to balancing academics with outside interests;
• Demonstrated “Put me in Coach” attitude;
• Financial need.

Required documents:

1. A personal letter of no more than two pages (single-spaced), indicating your suitability in each of the above areas. 
2. A letter of support from a student peer, maximum of two pages, double-spaced.
3. A maximum one-page bulleted list outlining your involvement in non-academic activities during your medical school career may be appended to your personal letter.
4. Recipients must have obtained a satisfactory academic standing and must not have received a major University of Calgary award or bursary in the current academic year.

THE DR. LYDIA SIKORA MEMORIAL AWARD

The Dr. Lydia Sikora Memorial Endowment was established by family and friends as a lasting tribute to her memory. The Cumming School of Medicine shares in the sorrow over the loss of Dr. Sikora and in the hope that this award will encourage greater interest in medical research and honour Dr. Sikora's commitment to science. The Dr. Lydia Sikora Memorial Award is open to all MD students. The applicant must be in good academic standing and demonstrate a commitment to medical research. The recipient(s) will be notified in January

This commitment can be demonstrated by:

• Significant participation in either basic science or clinically-oriented medical research;
• Enthusiasm for research demonstrated through the candidate's work ethic, attitude and participation in seminars/journal clubs;
• A description of how you see research impacting your future medical career;
• Exhibiting leadership and innovation in research;
• Other criteria as determined by the Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Medicine.
• Candidates who demonstrate a commitment and aptitude for research that transcends their level of training may be considered for a separate “up and coming” award. 

Preference will be given to well-rounded individuals as characterized by a history of extracurricular participation including volunteering, leadership activities, or other similar criteria.

Required documents:

1. A current CV, including academic, research, and personal achievements;
2. A personal letter to the committee expressing your commitment to medical research and participation in extra-curricular activities.

• Your letter should be a minimum of one page and a maximum three pages in length, double spaced throughout.

3. An emailed letter of support from your research supervisor.

• We encourage students to pass on award criteria to their referees.

THE DR. LINDSAY LEIGH KIMMETT PRIZE IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Lindsay Kimmett was completing her second year of Medical school when she tragically died as a seat-belted passenger in a single vehicle rollover in February 2008. Lindsay was passionate about Medicine and had chosen Emergency Medicine as her career goal. There is no doubt in our minds that Lindsay would have excelled in the field. She was ambitious and coupled her intelligence with a tenacious work ethic. She had a calm demeanor which would have been a huge asset in coping with the hectic pace of an Emergency Room. Lindsay was compassionate and would have treated patients, their families and fellow staff with grace and dignity. She recognized that in an Emergency setting you could truly make a difference in patients' lives, loved the opportunity to learn continuously and was keen to excel at medical procedures. Lindsay was also balanced and outside of the hospital, setting very much enjoyed life and embraced her world. At the University of Calgary convocation in May 2009 Lindsay was granted her Doctor of Medicine degree posthumously. We, as Lindsay's family, have a great desire to carry on her legacy and sincerely hope that this prize will assist the recipient to move forward in their pursuit of becoming an Emergency Physician.  The recipient(s) will be notified in April