2024-2025 Applications for FALL Awards (OCT- DEC)
The following awards are now available for application. Please read each application carefully as individual criteria varies for each award. Although award sums were confirmed at the time of posting, they are subject to change.
To qualify for the awards listed below, students must have first applied for financial assistance through the Student Centre/Registrar's Office by the September 30th deadline.
Self-nominations are not permitted for any award that requires a nomination. In addition, students should not solicit other students or faculty for nominations.
Please Note:
- This is a list of awards that require application submission by the fall deadline. For a complete list of available awards, please see the Registrar's website.
- Financial Need award funds are first applied to outstanding tuition, and credit balances/adjustments are sent out from the Registrar's Office.
- Due to the high volume of applications, only those selected for an award will be notified via email in December.
FALL FINANCIAL NEED AWARDS:
FINANCIAL NEED ANY YEAR AWARDS:
Chun Ollerhead Award in Medicine
Awarded annually to a student in any year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student who has participated in extracurricular activities, particularly athletics or the arts. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by September 30th. In addition, candidates must also submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31st outlining their involvement in extracurricular activities. The recipient will be selected by the Undergraduate Medical Education Awards Committee in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry after the Office of the Registrar has assessed financial need. This award was established with a generous gift from Dr. Koo Chun (MD 1992, BSc 1988) and her husband, Mr. William Ollerhead (BA, Statistics 1987).
Value: 1 at $3,600
Dr. Koo Chun is an Obstetrican/Gynaecologist in Toronto. Mr. Ollerhead’s grandfather, William W. Ollerhead, graduated from Western’s Medical School in 1929, and became one of the area’s first Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Chun and Mr. Ollerhead believe strongly in the importance of well-roundedness and breadth of experience and interests, knowing how it contributes to the character development necessary to engage positively with patients and their families.
Drung Family Award in Medicine
Awarded annually to a student in any year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student who has been involved in their community. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be completed by September 30th. In addition, candidates must submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31st outlining their community involvement. The recipient will be selected by the Undergraduate Medical Education Awards Committee in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry after the Office of the Registrar has assessed financial need. This award was established with a generous gift from Cheri (BSc 1987, BEd 1988) and Arnold Drung, and their sons, Jeremy (BMSc 2016, MD 2020), Benjamin (BMSc 2018), and Jacob.
Value: 1 at $2,500
Douglas and Vivian Bocking Medical Award
Awarded annually to a student in any year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program who has exhibited outstanding leadership skills and is actively involved in community-based projects either within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry community and/or outside of the community. Students must also demonstrate financial need. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by September 30. Students must also submit an online application, detailing their activities and contributions, to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31st. Once financial need has been determined by the Office of the Registrar, the Undergraduate Medical Education Awards Committee will select the recipient. This award was established by the Bocking family, friends and Alumni, in memory of Dr. Douglas Bocking (MD 1943 and former Dean of Medicine) and his wife Mrs. Vivian Bocking (BA ‘82). Dr. Douglas (Doug) Bocking served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Western from 1965 to 1978, Vice-President of Health Sciences until 1984, and Vice-Provost of Health Sciences until 1987. Doug and Vivian raised 6 children, all of whom attended Western. Vivian served as President of both the YM-YWCA Board of Directors and the Women’s Christian Association Board. She followed her children in attending Western, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Doug was the Founding Chair of the Board of the London Intercommunity Health Centre. In 1999, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Health Care and Community Service. Doug died in 2020 at the age of 99, predeceased by Vivian, aged 91, in 2011.
Value: 1 at $2,700
London and District Academy of Medicine Memorial Award
Awarded annually to full-time Doctor of Medicine (MD) students, in any year, who have demonstrated financial need and who have shown a keen interest in health advocacy activities such as working with student or community organizations or involvement in a social cause to better a community within Schulich. Online financial assistance applications must be completed through Student Center by September 30. In addition, candidates are also required to submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31 outlining their advocacy activities. The recipients will be selected by the Progression & Awards Committee in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry after the Office of the Registrar has assessed financial need. This award was made possible by the London and District Academy of Medicine through donations made in memory of deceased members of the Academy.
Value: 6 at $2,400
Drs. James and Leslie Rourke Award in Rural Medicine
Awarded annually to an undergraduate student in any year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program who has financial need and has made a significant and positive contribution to rural medicine in one or more of the following areas; educational initiatives, research, advocacy or leadership within the rural distributed education programs at Schulich. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by September 30th. An online application must also be submitted to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31st. A committee in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will select the recipient, once the Office of the Registrar has determined financial need. This award is offered through the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund (OSOTF) program, and recipients must meet Ontario residency requirements. This award was established by Drs. James and Leslie Rourke who completed Doctor of Medicine degrees (MD '76 and MD '77 respectively), Family Medicine residencies and Masters in Clinical Science (Family Medicine) through Western. Dr. James Rourke was founding director of the SWORRM (Southwestern Ontario Rural Regional Medicine) program, which is now the Distributed Education Network (DEN). Both Drs. Rourke have been role models in rural family medicine, not only through their successful medical practices in Goderich, but through their leadership in promoting rural family medicine provincially, nationally and internationally.
Value: 1 at $2,000
FINANCIAL NEED YEAR 3 AWARDS (MEDS 2026):
AER Award in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Awarded annually to full-time students in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, who are participating in a clinical placement outside of their program location, based on demonstrated financial need. A one-page statement must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education outlining projected or incurred accommodation and travel costs and must be submitted by October 31st. The Office of the Registrar will determine financial need and a committee within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will select the recipients. This award was established with Foundation Western by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.
Value: 6 at $2,500
Starok Christakis Award in Medicine
Awarded annually to a student in third or fourth year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student involved in extracurricular activities. Online financial assistance applications must be completed through Student Center by September 30th. In addition, candidates must also submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31st outlining their involvement in extracurricular activities. The recipient will be selected by the Undergraduate Medical Education Awards Committee in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry after the Office of the Registrar has assessed financial need. This award was established with a generous gift from Dr. Monique (Starok) Christakis (MD ’90).
Value: 1 at $2,000
Dr. Monique Christakis is a musculoskeletal radiologist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Originally from Windsor, she attended Western for Medical school. Her parents were immigrants to Canada and although they always supported education, they didn’t have the financial means to support Monique at University. Dr. Christakis understands the financial struggle medical school presents. She believes in a balance in life and hard work, both in and out of school.
FINANCIAL NEED YEAR 4 AWARDS (MEDS 2025):
Susan Vitali-Lovell Family Medicine Award
Awarded annually to students in their fourth year of the undergraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD) program who demonstrate an interest in pursuing Family Medicine, have demonstrated financial need and preferably, are originally from a rural area. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be completed by September 30th. Preference will be given to students who have completed Family Medicine electives and/or rotations in rural/regional communities. Applicants are also asked to submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office indicating rural background (if applicable) and financial need, as well as outlining their interest in Family Medicine and potential to practice the ideal characteristics of a physician as described in the Medical Undergraduate Education Objectives. This application must be submitted by October 31st. Once financial need has been determined by the Office of the Registrar the recipients will be selected by the Department of Family Medicine in consultation with the Office of Distributed Education with the approval of the Progression & Awards Committee. These awards were established by the late John J. Vitali in memory of his eldest daughter Susan Vitali-Lovell.
Value: 2 at $2,500
Elmer and Bette (Liz) Mlinar Rural Medicine Award
Awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students entering Year 4 of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program who have demonstrated financial need. Online financial assistance applications are available through the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted by September 30th. Preference will be given to students who have completed electives and/or rotations in rural/regional communities. Applicants are also asked to submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office indicating their interest in rural medicine by October 31st. Once financial need has been determined by the Office of the Registrar the recipient will be selected by the Office of Distributed Education with the approval of the Progression & Awards Committee. This award was established by a generous bequest from Bette (Liz) Mlinar.
Value: 1 at $1,600
AER Award in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Awarded annually to full-time students in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, who are participating in a clinical placement outside of their program location, based on demonstrated financial need. A one-page statement must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education outlining projected or incurred accommodation and travel costs and must be submitted by October 31st. The Office of the Registrar will determine financial need and a committee within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will select the recipients. This award was established with Foundation Western by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.
Value: 6 at $2,500
Starok Christakis Award in Medicine
Awarded annually to a student in third or fourth year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student involved in extracurricular activities. Online financial assistance applications must be completed through Student Center by September 30th. In addition, candidates must also submit an online application to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by October 31st outlining their involvement in extracurricular activities. The recipient will be selected by the Undergraduate Medical Education Awards Committee in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry after the Office of the Registrar has assessed financial need. This award was established with a generous gift from Dr. Monique (Starok) Christakis (MD ’90).
Value: 1 at $2,000.
Dr. Monique Christakis is a musculoskeletal radiologist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Originally from Windsor, she attended Western for Medical school. Her parents were immigrants to Canada and although they always supported education, they didn’t have the financial means to support Monique at University. Dr. Christakis understands the financial struggle medical school presents. She believes in a balance in life and hard work, both in and out of school.
If you have questions, please reach out to awards.ume@schulich.uwo.ca
