Kawartha Lakes Medical Society Award For 1st Year Medical Student

Kawartha Lakes Medical Society, August 18, 2026: The Kawartha Lakes Medical Society (KLMS), a branch of the Ontario Medical Association, is pleased to announce the recipient of its First-Year Medical Student Award: Liam McAlister of Minden. 

On August 11, 2026, Liam accepted the cash award from Dr. Sheila-Mae Young, KLMS  Scholarship Officer, alongside KLMS supporters Cindy Snider, Coordinator for the Kawartha  Lakes Health Care Initiative, and Connie Ellery, Executive Assistant to the Ross Memorial Hospital Medical Chief of Staff. 

Liam will begin medical school at the end of August 2026, at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) in Sudbury. He completed his undergraduate studies at McMaster University and received a Master’s Degree from Western University, London. Liam is a graduate of  Haliburton Highlands Secondary School and is excited to begin his medical studies. KLMS looks forward to following Liam’s progress through medical school and residency, and hopes to one day welcome him back as a physician practicing in the City of Kawartha Lakes or the County of  Haliburton. 

This is the second year for this award by KLMS, which also provides five high school graduation awards annually to the four high schools in the City of Kawartha Lakes and one in Haliburton. 

The First-Year Medical Student Award is presented annually to an applicant who: 

• Is a usual resident of the City of Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton County

• Is enrolled in Year One of an Ontario Faculty of Medicine 

• Has made contributions to community life 

• Agrees to maintain an ongoing relationship with community leaders such as KLMS, the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative, and Ross Memorial Hospital. 

Applications are due by June 30 each year, with recipients selected by the KLMS Executive and the award presented by September 30. 

KLMS congratulates Liam McAlister and wishes him the very best on his journey to becoming a future physician for our community.