Bursaries make an extraordinary difference in the life of an MD student. Beyond easing the cost of a long educational journey, they serve as a meaningful reminder that a community of donors stands behind students, cheering them on as they learn and train to become doctors who will strengthen healthcare in communities around British Columbia and beyond.

Jerram Gawley of the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Island Medical Program is one of those MD students. His journey to medicine began with a fascination for philosophy and the human experience. A general interest became personal when, as a teenager, his father needed an organ transplant, and his mother donated a kidney through the paired donation program.

Looking back on that stressful experience, Jerram sees the success of the procedure—and the possibility of such an operation in the first place—as proof of the life-changing power of medicine. The transplant offered Jerram more time with his father and shaped Jerram’s desire to serve others. This laid the foundation for his decision to go to medical school.

Early beginnings and mentorship

Jerram studied philosophy in high school, as it offered novel ways to look at the world, ask questions, and broaden his perspective. He later pursued neurobiology at university to explore the human experience in a different way.

“Ironically, as I went down that route, I found I was more disconnected from humans themselves,” says Jerram. “I realized that even though studying these fundamental building blocks of human experience is fascinating, I wanted to spend more time connecting with people.”

When Jerram decided to apply to medical school, he took time after his undergraduate degree to work and save for tuition. At the same time, he reached out to health professionals with questions. He connected with his uncle, a rural physician, to ask what it means to be a community doctor. His uncle talked about service and the weight of responsibility. Jerram was deeply moved. The perspective helped him approach medical school with humility and a commitment to learn as much from patients as from physicians.

The impact of financial relief

Most medical students take on significant debt, which requires time and creativity to navigate. That’s where bursaries and other awards come in. Behind each one is a community of donors who believe in students like Jerram and the potential of future physicians to strengthen healthcare in BC.

Jerram received bursary support that brought tremendous relief. Beyond financial help and encouragement, it empowered him to pursue an opportunity that would otherwise not have been feasible: conducting research and furthering his learning over the summer instead of working a non-research job to help cover costs.

“The time we spend creating financial security is often time taken away from learning and engaging with the community. You need to pursue research and other opportunities that will help your learning as a student and future health professional. Bursaries have allowed me to do that,” says Jerram.

Community medicine

Still in the early days of medical school, Jerram sees himself in rural family practice—work that allows him to connect with people, make them feel heard, and he hopes, leave them in better health moving forward.

“I love the idea of a longitudinal relationship,” says Jerram. “I consider myself privileged to have had such incredible opportunities and support. I hope to offer that back to others as a future clinician and member of a community. The mentors I’ve had have shown me what it means to be focused on the people in our communities. I think that would be an appropriate ‘thank you’ for all that medicine—and the donor community—has given me.”