Twin brothers studying at NOSM University receive Bursary from Baxter and Alma Ricard Foundation

Two brothers, two pathways, one award. The journey of Cory and Chad Tremblay, twin brothers from North Bay, takes a couple of twists and turns but they both end up at NOSM University to study medicine.  

Cory knew he wanted to be a doctor from a young age while watching an aunt struggle with breast cancer. That inspired a desire to learn about medicine and gain more knowledge about the human body. He studied Physical and Health Education at Nipissing University, then completed his Master’s in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo with a focus on exercise and nutrition before applying to NOSM University’s MD program.  

It took three tries, but Cory finally got admission. He was drawn to NOSM for its learning environment and curriculum. “I really wanted to get close with all of my classmates and with the people that were teaching me, so NOSM University seemed like the best fit,” he said. “I think the curriculum at NOSM University is inspiring because they’re trying to address inequities within different subpopulations within Northern Ontario. As a Francophone, that was really important to me.”    

Chad Tremblay, Cory’s brother, is also a fourth-year medical student at NOSM University and chose the MD program for similar reasons: small class sizes, the ability to practice in French, and opportunities to work with Indigenous communities.  

Chad took a different path to NOSM University, having first worked as a pharmacy assistant, while studying nursing at Nipissing University. During one of his nursing placements at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, he met Dr. Jennifer Mihill, an anesthesiologist, who mentored him and influenced his decision to become a doctor. Chad then worked as a registered nurse on a remote Indigenous community in northern Saskatchewan. 

He applied twice to medical school with the guidance of his brother and they both began studying at NOSM in September 2021.  

The Baxter and Alma Ricard Foundation Bursary  

The Baxter and Alma Ricard Foundation bursary is a grant of up to $150,000 given to Franco-Canadian students outside of Quebec to pursue a postgraduate degree, professional studies, or a second bachelor’s degree in any subject, anywhere in the world, and in their language of choice.  

The Foundation began in 1998 by the Ricard family and has provided bursaries to more than 400 students for 25 years. Since 2006, 33 NOSM University students have received bursaries. 

Elia Eliev, Executive Director of the Baxter and Alma Ricard Foundation says the purpose of the bursary is to enable Francophone students to pursue higher education without debt and relieve financial pressures.  

Elia himself was a recipient of the bursary in 2009 and says it had a positive impact on his career, allowing him to pursue a master’s degree in Switzerland and a Ph.D. in Canada.  

“It gives you that space where you’re just focusing on your studies, and I think that is such a privilege today,” he added.  

Medical students at NOSM University graduate with nearly twice the debt of students at other medical schools in Canada. After hearing about the bursary from a friend, the Tremblays applied for and received the bursary in 2023, and they agree that the bursary made a significant impact on their ability to focus on medical school.  

“My brother and I have always had to rely on some sort of scholarship or bursary for all our studies, including nursing school, medical school, and everything in between,” Chad said.   

“So, it’s the strong Francophone ties to the bursary, but also what it meant to me personally because without bursaries and scholarships I wouldn’t be able to pursue any postgraduate studies, so I’m very thankful.” he added.  

His brother agrees.  

“All of the expenses surrounding medical school are astronomical. To receive an award of that magnitude over three consecutive years was completely life changing,” Cory said. 

Chad and Cory are proud of their Francophone identity. As future physicians hoping to practise in Northern Ontario, they stress the importance of having bilingual physicians to provide care for those with French as a first language.  

Their experience of their French-speaking grandmother in needing a translator in hospital crystallized the importance of having French speaking doctors.  

Travelling across Northern Ontario to small, underserved Francophone communities for elective courses also made this reality clear for the Tremblays. For Cory, it’s about making patients more comfortable in an already uncomfortable environment. Patients may travel hours from small communities to larger academic health science centres.   

“As a physician, your entire goal is to help patients with whatever medical issue that they have,” Cory said. “When you can do that in a language that they understand and feel comfortable in, it benefits patient outcomes significantly.”  

Looking to the Future 

As both brothers wrap up their fourth year of medical school, they are looking to the future. Chad intends to study anesthesia or pathology while Cory is interested in plastic surgery, specializing in breast cancer reconstruction surgery. They also hope to practice in Northern Ontario after their studies.  

They advise aspiring medical students to work hard and do things they are passionate about.  

“What I would like to tell my younger self is certainly don’t ever compromise who you are in your pursuit of medical school,” Chad said. “I think pursuing your hobbies and your passions is what’s most important and that’s why it really shines through an application when you are genuine and honest.”  

For students who want to apply for the bursary, Cory encourages them to apply the same principles as their medical school application.  

“When applying for any bursary, you have to demonstrate your accomplishments, but I think the most important part is to show what you have learned from those experiences,” Cory said. “These qualities and values seamlessly translate into everyday life, demonstrating your ability to adapt to various situations and equipping you with the attributes necessary for success in many areas of life.” 

The Baxter and Alma Ricard Foundation Bursary is awarded annually. It opens in September and the deadline to apply is December 1.