BOP Medical
Students Hardship
Grant
By Sarah Strong, Clinical School
Business Leader.
Each year we invite BOP
medical students who meet
a certain criteria to apply for
a hardship grant. It is usually
not difficult for students to
demonstrate hardship with
large student loans and
therefore the selection process is challenging
with limited funds available.
This grant was conceptualised in 1976 at the suggestion of the NZ
Medical Association (BOP branch). A group of Tauranga doctors
established a fund in memory of Dr John Mark, who was a well
known and respected local GP until the 1950s.
This year the Acorn Hardship Grant of $4,000 was awarded to
medical student Joshua Reid who is at Otago University, in his
fourth year of study for a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery.
Margot McCool, Donor and Community Engagement Manager, Acorn
Foundation and Josh Reid,
Josh was born and raised in Tauranga. He’ll graduate in 2020 and
would love to move back and work in Tauranga, giving back to his
community.
“I am very grateful to be awarded the Acorn hardship grant. This
grant replaces my income from tutoring, allowing me to fully focus
on my exams in the coming year.”
Josh is the first in his family to reach this level of tertiary study He
was previously a summer student with the BOP Clinical School in
2016 and 2017. This summer he is working on a 10 week project
to assess whether red lighting in HIA improves sleep in post stroke
patients, reduces use of nocturnal sedation and possibly falls
under the supervision of Dr Jeremy Rossaak. He also has plans
to complete a project for Coronary Care. We wish him well for the
future.
Bay of Plenty
CLINICAL CAMPUS
The Research awards have been deferred until 2019. The awards will
be re-advertised in the New Year with the application form and closing
date of end of February 2019.
Research is essential in the provision of quality healthcare and is an integral part of healthcare
delivery. The awards recognise the contribution of researchers in improving the quality of care
and health outcomes for our patients through research. Entries are encouraged to show-case
the great work that is being undertaken.
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