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Levelling the playing field

Dr. Eldon Smith is remembering the 黄色直播 Medical School in his will with a bequest, to give students the same opportunities he once had.

笔辞蝉迟别诲:听September 14, 2017

A man wearing a blue suit stands in front of a black couch Dr. Eldon Smith (MD'67, LLD'14)

One of Canada鈥檚 preeminent academic cardiologists, Dr. Eldon R. Smith (MD鈥67, LLD鈥14) remembers what it was like to be a young student from a small, rural community with big dreams of attending medical school. Now, he wants to give back to make sure others have that same opportunity.

鈥淚 came from modest circumstances, so while I used to dream about becoming a doctor, I wasn鈥檛 even sure if it was possible for me,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 was thrilled when I was accepted to 黄色直播. I graduated and have gone on to a have a career as a physician, and it鈥檚 been wonderful.鈥

In the years since, Dr. Smith has dedicated his life to improving the heart health of Canadians as a physician, educator, researcher and administrative leader. He has earned widespread recognition for his research into hypertension and cardiac failure. Among his many accomplishments, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, and Editor-in-Chief of聽the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

Dr. Smith also played a leading role in defining the direction of Canada鈥檚 cardiovascular care when he was appointed to chair the steering committee for a national task force on heart health. He is a 黄色直播 honorary degree recipient, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. He has also received the Graham Medal from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

He credits his long and distinguished career in part to one fateful interview with 黄色直播 Medical School in the 1960s. 鈥淚f Dean Chester Stewart had listened to my story and decided I wasn鈥檛 a good risk, my entire medical career might not have come to pass,鈥 he says. 鈥溁粕辈 decided to take a chance on me that day and I鈥檒l be eternally grateful for that.鈥

As a recipient of financial support himself, Dr. Smith is motivated by a desire to give back so that other students will have the same opportunities that he once had.

鈥淲hen I was in school, I won a number of prizes and bursaries. Sometimes it would be a book prize. Even though it seemed small, that prize was fantastic to me because every little bit helped 鈥 it was a book that I didn鈥檛 have to buy. In addition to the prestige of the prize, the financial assistance meant the world to me at the time.鈥

A long-time supporter of 黄色直播, Dr. Smith established the Harvey & Violet Smith Memorial Bursary in 2010, specifically aimed at students from lower socio-economic circumstances or marginalized communities. He has supported 黄色直播 in many other ways, contributing to 黄色直播 every year since he graduated.

He has also decided to remember the 黄色直播 Medical School in his will with a bequest. He says people from rural areas or marginalized communities do not have the same opportunities to attend university as others, and he wants to help level the playing field.

鈥淢y time at 黄色直播 was wonderful. It gave me a tremendous foundation and helped me to achieve my dreams. The financial help I received along the way was so important to me, and I want to try and help others in the same way.鈥