Volunteers playing hockey to help bring doctors home

'Bring a Doctor Home' Tournament has raised over $325,000 in student bursaries for our local future physicians

NEWS RELEASE

ESSAR STEEL ALGOMA

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This year, Essar Steel Algoma Inc. volunteers celebrate their 12th Annual “Bring a Doctor Home” Hockey Tournament.

The tournament brings Essar Steel employees, retirees, and volunteers together into organized teams to meet on the ice and raise money to support students from Sault Ste. Marie who are enrolled in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Since its inception in 2006, the Bring a Doctor Home Tournament has raised over $325,000 in student bursaries for our local future physicians.

Now in its 12th year, the tournament has seen its recipients complete their residency and begin caring for the people of Sault Ste. Marie. Chris Lepore, who heads up the volunteer committee, is excited to see that these physicians are graduating from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and returning to Sault Ste. Marie.

He says, “They are the first home-grown and educated physicians in the history of Northern Ontario. They are our children and grandchildren, and are returning home to fill a shortage that is shared by all Northern communities. By training here, not only do they understand our needs, but they embrace the lifestyle that this great region offers.”

If you would like to donate to the hockey tournament to support our future local physicians, please visit Community First at 289 Bay Street or 535 Trunk Road. All donations of over $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.

Additionally, Community First will be hosting a meet and greet with our future physicians at the Bay Street and Trunk Road branches on Jan. 17 from 3 – 4 p.m.

The future doctors will be on hand at the branches to talk about life as NOSM students; refreshments and snacks will be served. Community First President Brent Lamming explains his enthusiasm about the initiative stating, “Here at Community First, we have deep historical ties to the Essar Steel employee and retiree communities. We are proud to assist them in raising money for such a great initiative, and to encourage our talented future doctors who are studying at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.”

To cheer on the players at the tournament, visit the John Rhodes Community Centre from Jan. 15 – 20. Games start at 6 p.m. The semi-finals are on Wednesday, Jan. 18, and the finals take place on Friday, Jan. 20.

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