Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 09/98) - Northern students are expecting to gain better access to medical training following an agreement between the NWT and Alberta for seats at southern medical schools.

"... there are two seats for medical school -- one will be for a western-based student and one for an eastern-based student," said health and social services minister Kelvin Ng.

Western Arctic students have a seat at the University of Alberta medical school, but discussions are ongoing for students in the East.

"I'll have to enter discussions with Nunavut officials to find out where they want their students to go," said Ng.

Dennis Patterson, chair of the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board, said the additional seats will be helpful in gaining entrance to medical school."

"I know enough about the students financial assistance program to know that additional financial assistance will also be helpful," he said. But he cautions that it's not the only answer.

"We've got a long way to go, but it will be helpful," he added.

Dr. Chris Cheeseman, assistant dean of medicine, who recently visited Sir John Franklin high school, said the seat will provide additional opportunity for Northerners.

"I'm working with the NWT to create a new position specific for the NWT," he said.

"It's an over-quota for NWT students only. It's a separate applicant pool. We're hoping to have it open in 12 months. We want to strengthen our ties with the North."

This year, University of Alberta med school has 102 positions: 85 reserved for Albertans (NWT students automatically qualify as Alberta residents), 15 for out-of-province students and two spots for aboriginals.

"It's the largest aboriginal medical program in the country," said Cheeseman. "We have 12 in the program."

Dennis Cleaver, CEO for Stanton Regional Hospital, said there is a shortage of doctors and other health professionals across the NWT and this initiative is a step toward answering this need.

"We're shy 6-10 GPs (general practitioners) here in Yellowknife," he said.

Sir John Franklin graduate Christine Jackson, currently in her second year med school at the University of Alberta, told high school students that medicine is one of those careers that guarantees work after graduation.

"It's one of the few things you can take at university where you're guaranteed a job," she said.