Six years ago, the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation announced the launch of a bursary program for medical students that would be named after Dr. Robert Watson, who practiced medicine at the hospital and in the community for over 40 years. Although he's retired, Doc Watson is still a very popular doctor in the community.

Following his retirement, many donations were made to the Foundation in his honour. For that reason, it was decided that a bursary for medical students was an appropriate way to recognize Doc Watson's contribution to the community.  Each year these funds are provided to the Ross Memorial Hospital for the Dr. R.J. Watson Medical Student Bursary Committee to review applications and recommend recipients to the Board of Governors.

The Dr. R.J. Watson Medical Student Bursary is provided to students who originate from the City of Kawartha Lakes with the hope that they will choose to come back here to practice medicine and apply for active privileges at Ross Memorial Hospital. A $1000 academic year bursary is provided to each qualifying candidate. This year's recipients are: Joel Runk, Joanna Moore, Amy Forbes, Stephen Gowing and Allison Bingham, all from the City of Kawartha Lakes.