On November 21, 2002, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation announced that its medical student bursary would now be named after long-term physician, Dr. Robert Watson, who had practiced medicine at the hospital and in the community for over 40 years.

The Dr. R.J. Watson Medical Student Bursary is provided to qualifying candidates with the hope that the candidates will choose to practice medicine in the City of Kawartha Lakes and apply for active privileges at Ross Memorial Hospital.

A $1,000 per academic year bursary is provided to each qualifying candidate through the generous support of the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation. Candidates may receive a bursary for a maximum of three academic years.

This year’s recipients are: Melissa Graham, Adam Stewart, Erin Stone, Mark Stone, and Andrew Petrosoniak all from the Lindsay area.

Qualifying candidates must fulfill all three of the following requirements:

• Must have been a resident of the City of Kawartha Lakes for at least two years of the five years previous to undergraduate study.
• Must be enrolled in one of the final three years of a Faculty of Medicine Program in a Canadian University.
• Must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.

Bursaries are not based on financial need or academic merit. They are awarded based on the applications of qualifying candidates and the availability of resources.