NOSM Renames Francophone Bursary Fund in Honour of Maureen Lacroix

A standing ovation at the recent Francophone Symposium welcomed Mrs. Maureen Lacroix as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) announced the renaming of a student bursary in her honour. The « Bourse communautaire francophone » has been renamed the « Bourse francophone Maureen Lacroix » in recognition of Mrs. Lacroix’s dedication to advancing Francophone initiatives in health-care throughout Northern Ontario.

Mrs. Lacroix was presented a plaque in honour of her contributions, from Mrs. Liliane Beauchamp, a fellow member of NOSM’s Francophone Reference Group and Board of Directors. In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Lacroix acknowledged that bursaries, such as the one renamed in her honour, assist medical students as they focus on their studies and develop an understanding of the unique health-care needs of Northerners.

Proceeds from the voluntary registration for the symposium, in the amount of $3,050.00, were allocated to the newly renamed « Bourse francophone Maureen Lacroix » and matching funds from the Ontario Government doubled that figure. Mrs. Lacroix herself donated the $1,000.00 honorarium she received as Honorary President of the 2007 Francophone Symposium to the bursary fund, which was also matched by the Ontario Government.

NOSM Founding Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, congratulated Maureen Lacroix for her dedication to Francophone initiatives in Northern Ontario. “The renaming of this bursary in Maureen’s name is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary individual who has served the Francophone community of Northern Ontario so well. This bursary will assist Francophone students from northern, rural and remote communities to pursue a medical career closer to home,” he said.

Mrs. Lacroix has dedicated many years of outstanding service to the Francophone community, most notably as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Laurentian Hospital in Sudbury. She has been a member of the NOSM Board of Directors since 2004, a member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors since 1996, and was a key advocate for the creation of NOSM and the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre.

Photograph available on request. For information on bursary, research and other giving opportunities, visit www.normed.ca.