AstraZeneca Canada Supporting Health Sciences Career Development with Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Youth Program

CALGARY, Oct. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is pleased to announce AstraZeneca Canada as the lead sponsor of its Discovery Days in Health Sciences program, that informs and excites some 2,500 grade 10/11 students interested in science about career options in this important field at 14 events across the country.  

The 2016 Fall lineup kicks off today at an event hosted by the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, engaging more than 300 Calgary and area youth. Delivered in partnership with universities, hospitals and research institutions nationwide, students spend a day onsite with accomplished physicians, researchers and other health professionals at a keynote lecture, two interactive workshops each, and a career panel Q&A with individuals who share their journey to working in the health care field. Participant evaluations confirm that they leave the day with a clearer picture of what it's like to be a health professional and with increased certainty about pursuing post-secondary education in the health sciences.

"As lead sponsor, we're hopeful that Discovery Days in Health Sciences will inspire a passion for science and health among young Canadians and motivate them to become our next generation of great scientists, pharmacists, medical practitioners, or whatever they aspire to become" says Helen Seibel, Corporate Responsibility, AstraZeneca Canada. "This hands-on learning is an important investment in youth and can have a lasting impact."

We are very grateful to AstraZeneca for their commitment to Canada's future health workforce," said Lissa Foster, executive director of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. "When you give students the opportunity to interact face-to-face with scientists, clinicians and educators in their real-life setting, it makes for a very powerful experience with life-altering potential."

This program is free to student participants with support from national and regional sponsors. Province-wide events in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have an added outreach component to engage Indigenous youth.

Additional Resources:  http://cdnmedhall.org/discovery-days  

University of Calgary Event: 
Keynote Lecture, 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. (MDT) Libin Lecture Theatre, HSC Foothills Campus               
Presenter: Dr. Craig Jenne ~ Seeing "Immunity"  
Canada Research Chair in Imaging Approaches Towards Studying Infection  
Photo Opportunity: morning workshops, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (MDT)  

ABOUT THE CANADIAN MEDICAL HALL OF FAME 
Established in 1994, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) is a national charitable organization that fosters future generations of health professionals through the celebration of our country's rich medical history, scholarship program, award program for medical students and the delivery of both local and nationwide education programs for youth. Each year, up to six individuals are recognized for their extraordinary contribution to improving the health of Canadians and people world-wide. The stories of the laureates are showcased on the web www.cdnmedhall.org and in a portrait gallery, exhibit hall and media theatre located in downtown London, ON.

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA CANADA
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of primary and specialty care medicines that transform lives. Our primary focus is on three important areas of healthcare: Cardiovascular and Metabolic disease; Oncology; and Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity. AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. In Canada, we employ more than 680 employees across the country and our AstraZeneca Canada headquarters are located in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.astrazeneca.ca

SOURCE Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

MEDIA CONTACT: Lissa Foster, Executive Director, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, cell: 519.636.0660 / office: 519.488.2003, x100 / [email protected]