News Releases

BMO Financial Group Creates a $100,000 Bursary Fund to Support Medical Students and Health Care in Northern Ontario

For immediate release: Thursday, December 15, 2005 -- Northern medical students in need of financial assistance will be the beneficiaries of a bursary fund created by BMO Financial Group.

Earlier today, Mike Hassett, Area Manager and Roberta Simpson, Commercial Relationship Manager at BMO Bank of Montreal, presented a $100,000 cheque to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Bursary Fund. "BMO and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine share a passion for living, working and serving Northern and rural communities," noted Mr. Hassett. "Many of our employees and customers reside in Northern Ontario, and BMO is committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Mr. Hassett.

Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Founding Dean, applauded BMO for being a national company with a vested interest in Regional matters. "Contributions to NOSM’s bursary fund are a long-term investment in the better health care for Northern Ontarians", noted Dr. Strasser. "This generous bursary fund donation demonstrates the commitment of the business community to support the future of health care in this region,"

As a financial institution, BMO truly appreciates the financial strain medical students can face. This bursary will help alleviate that stress and will assist students from all backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine. "We are proud to support future doctors – providing medical students with the financial aid they need to focus on their studies, research and clinical skills training that will help foster healthy communities in Northern Ontario," said Gary Zubal, Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal.

With the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation’s donor matching program, the BMO donation will be doubled to $200,000.

About BMO Financial Group’s Commitment to Communities

Since 1817, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility to the communities it serves. BMO Financial Group contributed more than $29 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in 2004, supporting thousands of communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. BMO has committed $9.8 million over the next 10 years to universities and colleges across the country.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a pioneering faculty of medicine. The School is a joint initiative of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario. By educating skilled physicians and undertaking health research suited to community needs, the School will become a cornerstone of community health care in Northern Ontario.

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