Alberta Medical Association: The Tarrant Scholarship Awarded to Two Medical Students

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Sept. 19, 2012) - On Wednesday, September 19 at 1:30 p.m., the Alberta Medical Association's (AMA's) Section of Rural Medicine will present the Tarrant Scholarship to two Alberta medical students. The ceremony will take place at the Faculty Club of the University of Alberta (11435 Saskatchewan Drive) in Edmonton.

The Tarrant scholarship is awarded to third-year medical students who have demonstrated an interest in, and dedication to, rural medical issues in their undergraduate work. This year one student from the University of Alberta (U of A) and one student from the University of Calgary (U of C) will receive the scholarship. The scholarship provides a full year's tuition for the recipients.

The 2012 Tarrant Scholarship recipients are University of Alberta medical student Clark Svrcek from Hinton AB, and University of Calgary medical student Stephen Annand from Okotoks AB.

"Again this year we have had many good candidates for the award," said Dr. Allan S. Garbutt, President, AMA Section of Rural Medicine. "We are confident that this year's winners will, like those ahead of them, strengthen the group of physicians serving rural Alberta."

The scholarship is named in honor of the late Dr. Michael Tarrant, a Calgary family physician, who championed rural medical undergraduate education. It is one of Alberta's largest unrestricted medical school undergraduate awards. Information about the scholarship is at www.albertadoctors.org.

Attachment: Biographies of the Tarrant scholarship recipients

For more information or to request an interview, please contact Dr. Allan S. Garbutt or Jung-Suk Ryu.

Recipient biographies:

University of Alberta

Clark Svrcek grew up in Wetaskiwin AB, experiencing the benefits of a small town atmosphere and a close-knit community.

Upon completing high school, Svrcek moved to Edmonton to pursue a degree in engineering. After meeting his wife at the University of Alberta, they resided in Edmonton for several years. Eventually, Svrcek and his wife opted for a change. They moved to Hinton AB to enjoy the tranquility, personable community and the opportunities that correspond with rural life.

Svrcek is interested in wilderness medicine and global health. His interests stem from his recreational pursuits, including his days as a water treatment engineer and a world traveler. Svrcek hopes to combine his previous training in engineering with his current interests in rural and remote medicine.

As a Red Cross First Aid Instructor for the past four years, Svrcek realized the benefits of being a practical generalist. Currently, he is involved in the Integrated Community Clerkship program for his third year of medical school. Svrcek and his wife have a two-year-old daughter and are anxiously awaiting the birth of their second child.

University of Calgary

Stephen Annand grew up in Okotoks AB. With Calgary only a short commute away, Annand was exposed to both rural and urban environments.

Annand attended the University of Western Ontario, with the goal of achieving a double degree in engineering and business. After completing his first year of post-secondary studies, Annand decided to pursue medicine.

After working with the Tim Horton Children's Foundation in a program facilitation and development role, Annand achieved his Masters in Public Health at the University of Alberta. He pursued his practicum in Emergency Preparedness during the H1N1 outbreak. This gave Annand the opportunity to work with physicians directly involved in the frontline management of the outbreak.

Upon completing his Masters, Annand entered medical school. Initially, Annand found it difficult to focus on one particular specialization. Annand's inspiration to pursue rural medicine comes from his involvement with the Rural Integrated Community Clerkship in the Crowsnest Pass.