By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Local students from the South Okanagan Similkameen aspiring to become doctors can once again apply for multi-year financial support through a bursary established through the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen (CFSOS).
Created last year through a substantial gift from an anonymous local couple, the bursary was created to help address the ongoing doctor shortage by supporting local students on the long path to becoming medical doctors and ultimately returning to practice in the South Okanagan Similkameen region.
The Trish and Phil Medical Bursary is designed to significantly reduce the financial barriers associated with becoming a doctor. The bursary can cover up to 50 per cent of tuition during undergraduate studies and up to 100 per cent of tuition during medical school.
“This level of support allows recipients to focus on their education and training without the burden of overwhelming tuition costs,” the CFSOS said.
The bursary is open to students who are graduating from secondary schools in Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos, who are committed to pursuing medical school and returning to practice medicine in the South Okanagan Similkameen once their training is complete.
In addition to financial support, the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice (SOS Division) will connect recipients with local family doctors through a structured mentorship program. This program fosters meaningful relationships that support students throughout their medical journey while strengthening their connection to the South Okanagan Similkameen medical community.
“This bursary is really about investing in our local students and in the long‐term health of our community,” said Yuki Ihara, Donor Services Manager with the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.
“Becoming a doctor takes years of commitment and comes with significant costs, and those barriers can be especially heavy for local students. By walking alongside them early, we are helping to build a future where more physicians have the support and connection to choose to live and work here.”
The Community Foundation noted that doctor shortages continue to challenge healthcare access across the country affecting wait times, emergency care, and people’s ability to find a family doctor and access consistent primary care.
The bursary also reflects a strong and growing partnership between CFSOS and the SOS Division, who are working together to support the development of future doctors for the region. The partnership aims to “strengthen understanding of the medical pathway, support students along that journey, and build long-term interest in practicing in the South Okanagan Similkameen.”
The collaboration between the two organizations is part of a “broader, coordinated approach to healthcare in the region,” the organizations said. The two have also worked alongside other partners to support projects such as the Colleen Schneider Medical Centre in Penticton, saying these successes demonstrate “the impact that aligned community leadership, philanthropy, and primary care providers can achieve together.”
Reflecting on the importance of this financial assistance for medical students, Dr. Jennifer Begin, Board Chair of the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice commented: “As someone who grew up in Penticton and now has the privilege of practicing family medicine in my hometown, this bursary means so much.
“I knew back when I was at Pen High that I wanted to become a doctor, but coming from a family with limited resources made that path challenging. I know how hard that road can be, which is why I think this bursary is so amazing. It will open doors for local students and also send a powerful message to doctors the Division is recruiting – this is a community that truly supports its healthcare providers.”
A virtual Information session for interested students will take place on April 28, 2026 ahead of the application opening. Interested students must attend an information session to be eligible to apply.
During the sessions, students will hear directly from local doctors about their path into medicine, what the journey requires, and what they wish they had known earlier.
Details about the bursary and application process will also be shared. Interested students can register for the info session here. Full eligibility details, application timelines, and registration information are available at cfso.net.
