Six Local Students Begin Medical Journey, Set to Impact Kirkland Lake and Englehart Communities
It’s an outstanding year for our district as six students from Kirkland Lake, Englehart, and Earlton areas have started their first year of medical school at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) in Sudbury. These aspiring physicians have strong ties to Blanche River Health (BRH), having completed student placements and summer jobs at BRH sites in Englehart and Kirkland Lake.
BRH President and CEO, Jorge VanSlyke, expressed the community’s pride, stating, "Blanche River Health is proud to have supported many students in their health care journeys, including all six new medical students who began their studies this year. It is never too early to build relationships with the physicians of tomorrow as we continue to focus on the recruitment and retention of physicians to our area."
On August 29th, NOSM held an event at its Sudbury and Thunder Bay campuses, connecting first-year medical students with community representatives to explore placement opportunities. Jennifer Forrest, BRH Physician Recruiter, attended the event and met the local students. She emphasized the significance of early engagement with future healthcare professionals. "Making connections with medical students early in their journeys, and sustaining those relationships over time, demonstrates Blanche River Health’s commitment to not only filling physician vacancies but offering a supportive environment we are so proud of," said Forrest.
The six local medical students are:
- Daphnie Desilets from Earlton
- Ella Foxfrom Englehart
- Gracie Hammell, Abigail Honeyborne, Isabella Honeyborne, and Darren Szack from Kirkland Lake
These students represent the next generation of physicians who are committed to serving their home communities.
Daphnie Desilets is from Earlton and worked as a registered nurse during the summer of 2024 at our Englehart site and had a student placement in the summer of 2023. “This in addition to various clinical experiences, gave me a broad knowledge of the health care system. I chose to continue my education into medicine with this growing interest and passion for the field of health care. As for growing up in northern Ontario, I can only say I couldn’t imagine something better. These years of education in Sudbury have taught me that even that city is too big. A life in a small community with beautiful scenery is it for me. The support you receive from a town like this is truly phenomenal and I can proudly call this my hometown.”
Ella Fox grew up in Kirkland Lake and moved to Englehart while in high school. Ella was a summer student at BRH for two summers and worked in the lab and also in an administrative support role; “these two summers were the most rewarding summer jobs I've ever held and played a large role in my path to medicine”. Ella was also inspired to become a physician by her aunt, Dr. Nichole Currie, who is a physician in the Timiskaming district. “Her dedication and the support system she had has led me to believe that becoming a physician is possible. I also have great people there to cheer me on along the way.”
Darren Szack, was born and raised in Kirkland Lake and was employed as a nurse in Nunavut prior to attending NOSM University. Darren completed a student placement at BRH while in the practical nursing program and worked at the Extendicare in Kirkland Lake prior to starting his Bachelor of Science of Nursing at Nipissing University. “I am passionate about learning and having a positive impact in the lives of the people I live alongside. I’ve entered healthcare to meet that intrinsic drive, and I intend to go as far as possible to be the best practitioner I can. I aspire to become a physician with a deep knowledge and competency in generalist, emergency, and rural and remote health issues.”
Isabella Honeyborne is from Kirkland Lake and had summer student positions at BRH in the pharmacy department in 2021 and 2022. She is thrilled to begin her journey as a medical student at NOSM University in Sudbury after completing her undergraduate studies at McMaster University in Hamilton. “I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support from my family, friends, colleagues, and community. I look forward to serving my community, advocating for health equity, and working to address the gaps in our healthcare system.”
Abigail Honeyborne is also from Kirkland Lake and worked as a screening agent during the pandemic. She attended the University of Guelph and studied biomedical sciences which really opened her eyes and sparked her interest to go further in medicine. She tells us the north has always had a special place in her heart, “Kirkland Lake has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am so grateful that I got to grow up in Northern Ontario”.
Gracie Hammell was a summer student in the physiotherapy department at Blanche River Health and was raised in Kirkland Lake. “I am beyond excited to begin my studies at NOSM in Sudbury following my graduation from the University of Toronto. I chose medicine because I love collaborating with and caring for others, and I have a strong passion for healthcare. I want to advocate for accessible and safe healthcare in the North, and be a part of helping people create peace with their past and hope for their future.”
About Blanche River Health
Blanche River Health is a 74-bed hospital corporation with two sites serving the North Eastern Ontario communities of Englehart (26 beds) and Kirkland Lake (48 beds) as well as residents in surrounding areas. Our mission is to make health care work for you. BRH values people and continuous improvement and we demonstrate this through accountability, respect, and courage to excel.