Notes from Students

Thank you so much for your generosity which allowed me to be able to receive this award. As a medical student living in downtown Toronto, there are numerous expenses including living and tuition among others. I support myself financially, and this can be very challenging. It is through the generosity of people like yourself and organizations like the MAA who provide the means for these grants that help ease some of the financial burden of this process and allow me to put more focus into studying to become the excellent physician I aspire to be, and less on the financial difficulties of this process. I am extremely grateful and blessed to be studying medicine in this city, and hope to make a positive impact in the field of healthcare regardless of which specialty I end up in.  Thank you again for this incredible bursary, and I hope that in the future I am in a position to pay it forward and help future medical trainees like myself the way you have helped me.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak CMF Bursary

I'm touched and honoured to receive this MAA Award. I am completely financially independent, and I've found that supporting myself living downtown Toronto, away from home has been quite a burden. This award will go directly towards my tuition, and I feel thankful to have an alumni supporting me through my medical career. I hope one day to be in your shoes so that I may pass this on and continue the generosity. This act of generosity helps me feel supported by the medical community and I feel so thankful to be a part of a profession that provides such a service to each other.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Award

When I was granted admission into medical school, I was excited beyond belief to begin my journey in the field that I have dreamed about my entire life, but also concerned at how I would be able to manage the financial stress of medical school (tuition, medical resources, long commutes, supporting my family etc.). But 3 years later, I am glad to say that throughout this MD program, I have been privileged enough to have been surrounded by both emotional and financial support. Awards like the "Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Awards", have helped me not only contribute toward my yearly tuition, but also assist me in acquiring medical textbooks and resources to help me grow my medical knowledge. This has been a wonderful gift, to be supported by people who don't personally know me, but have faith in medical education and assisting students that might need some help along the way on this journey towards a medical profession.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Award

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for being selected as the 2020 recipient of the Dr. Richard Edwards (5T7) Family Medical Student Award in Genetics. Medical school has been an incredible experience for me, expanding both my academic and personal worldviews. That being said, it is not an inexpensive endeavor. I am thankful to the families that contribute funding to those who need it. This alleviates financial stress so that I can focus on what really matters - learning to be the best doctor possible. Genetics is an area of medicine that is ever increasing in importance and it is wonderful to be recognized for showing an interest and excelling in this area. As I look forward to the start of residency, I am excited to continue to explore my passion for genetics in medicine. Thank you once again for your support through this generous award!


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MAA Dr. Richard Edwards (5T7) Family Medial Student Award In Genetics

Thank you so much for your generosity - I am truly humbled to be receiving this award among a class of such intelligent, dedicated and hard-working peers. Particularly in a year marked by the emotional and financial stress of the CaRMS process, your support is more appreciated than I can express. I will be sure to follow in your footsteps and pay forward your generosity to the next generation of medical students!”


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Medical Alumni Association Scholarship

Thank you for investing in the future of the medical community. The financial cost of an MD degree is significant, and this award greatly lightens my financial burden. Without donors willing to support the next generation of physicians, students such as myself would be unable to pursue this career path and the extracurriculars that enrich my education. I am deeply appreciative of your support and will work to honour the legacy of your award.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak CMF Bursary

Thank you for your generous support of my medical education. I am very thankful for your contribution and it is an honour to be the recipient of this award I am very grateful for the work that the MAA does and I continue to be amazed by the endless support that it provides for current medical students. Your contribution to my studies will help minimize the financial burden that I carry as I continue to study and pursue the things that I love. Medical school is often stressful and support like this help make it that much more enjoyable.


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Medical Alumni Association Scholarship

It is a great honour to receive the 2019 Dr. Richard Edwards Family Medical Student Award in Genetics. This award will support me in completing the remaining two years of my medical studies at the University of Toronto, and in subsequently launching my career as a clinician-scientist. I am so grateful that such an award exists to recognize and validate the value of genetics research in modern-day medicine.


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MAA Dr. Richard Edwards (5T7) Family Medial Student Award In Genetics

Thank you so much for your generous gift. As you know, the costs of medical education can pose significant financial burden upon students, imposing additional psychosocial stressors on top of the typical stress of medical school. I am a student from a disadvantaged background, and throughout my entire educational career, I have worried about how to attend to my financial needs while still meeting my academic obligations. Receiving this bursary helps alleviate some of the financial pressures of medical school, allowing me to devote more time and energy to my studies. I am extremely grateful to have been selected as the recipient of this bursary. Thank you for making this award possible.


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Dr. James Boyce Bursary

The generosity of the MAA has impacted me much beyond financial support. This scholarship has further inspired me to continue to work towards my goals and empower my peers to do the same. I am incredibly grateful, and I hope that one day I will be able to support students in achieving their goals just as you have supported me today.


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Drs. Carl and Ann Witus Pre-Admission Scholarship

I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to you for making this award possible. I am honoured to be recognized for my academics amidst such a diverse and accomplished class of students. But more importantly, I thank you as a student in financial need, for whom money matters have always been a worry. I am blessed to be able to say that through the moral support of my friends and family, and the generosity of donors such as yourselves, I have been able to pursue my dreams without being limited by my socioeconomic status. Thank you on behalf of not only myself, but all of the other students to whom you have provided a helping hand, allowing us to focus on our education.


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Drs. Carl and Ann Witus Pre-Admission Scholarship

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine from a young age, and I knew the financial hardships that would come with this endeavor. What I did not expect was the generosity of such kind hearted and understanding donor's such as yourselves. Because of this scholarship I do not have to worry about picking up a job during medical school, or worry about the utilities bills that I have to pay. Instead I can focus my attention not only on my studies, but also the research interests that I believe will make impact to the field of medicine.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Award

I received the Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Bursary in my third year of medical studies at the University of Toronto. I am so grateful for the gracious donations from sponsors who contributed to this bursary, and humbled by being a recipient of an MAA bursary. Being already in debt from moving across the country and the high costs of medical school, my finances are always on my mind. This bursary will help cover the costs of school-related expenses, including tuition and the cost of travelling during clinical rotations.
With all the stresses of medical school, I now have one less stressor (finances) to worry about. This award will help me to achieve my goal of becoming the best clinician I can be.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Award

Seeing the sheer support and faith that donors have in the future generation of physicians is incredibly moving to me. Because of this generous donation, I have the privilege of actualizing my dreams and passions, while worrying less about whether or not I can afford to pursue them. Instead, I can focus on becoming the best physician that I can be and work diligently towards being in a position where I am able to give back to the communities that have nurtured me growing up. I am extremely grateful for your donation, and I hope that one day I am able to support future students pursuing their dreams.”


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Award

I thought my education at the University of Toronto had taught me everything I needed to know about medicine and health care until my international selective at the Karanda Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. This life-changing event opened my eyes and mind about the true meaning of being a doctor. The experience in Zimbabwe had a profound impact on my career in medicine. I will never forget it or the people who demonstrated the compassionate essence of health care. I believe it made me a better doctor. Thank you to the MAA for your support, for nurturing medical students and for being part of the University of Toronto community.


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International Health Selective

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for receiving The Ted (3T2) and Maeve Lidenfield Bursary. I am currently a first year medical student at the University of Toronto and this award will be of great assistance in paying my tuition. Before entering medical school, I completed a Ph.D in Molecular Genetics. The primary focus of my thesis research was the investigation of the genetic basis of common psychiatric conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and ADHD. My career goal is to become a clinician scientist and continue psychiatric genetics research that will directly help patients. This award will be of significant benefit towards reaching this goal. I will always remember the immense generosity of the MAA and the award donors.


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Ted (3T2) and Maeve Lindenfield Bursary

I want to thank you so much for helping support me on my four-week selective to Hay River in the Northwest Territories. I was so incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to go there with your funding and support. It helped develop my clinical skills, my decision-making, and my communication skills. It was an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that exposed me to the challenges and opportunities of living in the North and enhanced my appreciation of the skills required by family doctors who work in isolated communities.


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International Health Selective

I recently spent seven weeks in Uganda for an Obstetrics elective. I never imagined I would learn so much about Obstetrics and Global Health during my brief time there. Of course, this would not have been possible without the generous support from the Medical Alumni Association. I will be forever grateful to the MAA for allowing me to explore global health opportunities that otherwise would not have been possible.


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International Health Selective

Medicine is growing to be the most important pursuit of my life. I am happily dedicating as much effort as I possibly can to my future as a doctor. Your generosity has helped significantly with my finances and has allowed me to focus more on my studies. I am so thankful for your assistance and hope to return this kindness to future medical students one day.


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Dr. Ruth Kurdyak Memorial MAA Undergraduate Medical Student Award

I am very thankful for having received the Barbara M. Hardy Memorial Medical Alumni Award in General Surgery established by Dr. Bill Harris and his family. Medical school has been an incredible journey. Thanks to the award from the MAA, my financial burden was lightened during my final year. I am looking forward to surgical residency and am motivated in the pursuit of many professional goals.


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Barbara M. Hardy Memorial Medical Alumni Award in General Surgery

Medical Alumni Association

of the University of Toronto
The MAA is an independent association funded by U of T MD alumni, working in partnership with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. 

The MAA provides financial assistance to medical students and connects alumni.
medical.alumni@utoronto.ca416-978-0990
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