A student from the medical radiology program at the College of New Caledonia was the first recipient to receive the Dr. Larry Breckon Memorial Endowment Scholarship on Friday.
CNC student Alicia Fiege was thrilled to receive the $1,000 scholarship which she already plans to put towards her tuition.
"This is amazing. I feel extremely honoured," Fiege said.
Fiege has excelled as a student in her program and was chosen by faculty based on her performance.
"I was ecstatic when I found out I was accepted into the medical radiology technology program," Fiege said. "I am finally pursuing my passion of working in the health care system."
Fiege plans to continue her studies and complete advanced certification in CT Scanning.
Dr. Larry Breckon was a respected family physician for more than 35 years in Prince George.
In 1986, Breckon decided to specialize in radiology.
Aware that there was a shortage of medical imagery technicians in the north, he became involved in the creation of the medical radiography technology program (MEDRAD) at the College of New Caledonia.
Breckon died in the fall of 2015.
The Northern Medical Society, together with family and friends, went on to establish an endowment in honour of Breckon and his work.
"He was much loved as a family doctor because he truly gave the best of himself to his patients," said longtime colleague Dr. Laurie Cook.
There were 118 donors who contributed to the fund, which will award first year MEDRAD students $1,000 annually.
"We wanted to encourage more local students to pursue the field of medical radiography. The program follows the tradition of training and keeping health care experts in northern B.C.," Cook said.
"And I mostly just wanted to do something for him."
