Minister Announces Third Health Bursary
For Release #06-184
Wednesday, Aug 9, 2006
WHITEHORSE – Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers today announced a new education bursary for Yukon students entering post secondary health profession programs.
"Improving Yukoners’ access to health care is a key priority of our government," Cathers said. "Previously, we announced bursary programs for doctors and nurses. The Health Profession Education Bursary will enable us to target other areas of need in our health care system, and support Yukoners who are pursuing education for those professions."
The Health Profession Education Bursary will initially be targeted to support Yukoners in priority areas, including pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology and audiology, medical laboratory, medical radiology, dietetics and nutrition and licensed practical nursing.
Other areas of professional study will be considered if the bursaries are not awarded to people studying in the priority areas.
The new bursary will be made available to a maximum of four new students a year. Successful applicants will receive $5,000 per year for up to four years of health profession education.
The application deadline for the Health Professions Education Bursary is September 8, 2006. A bursary committee comprised of representatives from the hospital, continuing care, insured health and hearing services, Council for Yukon First Nations and two members representing the priority professional groups will review applications.
The Health Professions Education Bursary Program is one of several new initiatives under the Health Human Resources Strategy. The $12.7 million strategy was announced in March to address the shortage of health professionals in the Yukon.
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