The subject of one of the Vietnam War era's most iconic photos will be the guest speaker at next spring's Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture.
Kim Phùc was the nine-year-old child depicted in a photo running naked along a road after being severely burned in a South Vietnamese napalm attack.
Taken on June 8, 1972, the image won Associated Press photographer Nick Ut a Pulitzer Prize and, for many, brought home the horrors of the conflict.
Phùc is now a Canadian citizen, living in Ajax, Ontario and, in 1997, she established the Kim Phùc Foundation with the aim of providing medical and psychological assistance to child victims of war.
There is also a local connection.
Phùc was the subject of a book - The Girl in the Picture: The Story of Kim Phùc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War - authored by Prince George-born journalist Denise Chong. Chong received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2001.
"Kim Phùc is truly an inspirational figure who has overcome great tragedy and adversity, yet remains steadfast in giving back to community and sharing her experiences in order to help others," said Dr. David Nelson, president of the Northern Medical Society.
"Her heartrending place in history and riveting personal story will provide a powerful keynote address at our next Ewert Dinner."
Set for April 2, 2016 at the Civic Centre, the annual event honours Dr. Bob Ewert, the first medical specialist in Prince George, and is the largest annual fundraiser for the Northern Medical Programs Trust.
The Trust provides financial support for students at UNBC so that they gain experiences in the north that encourage their pursuit of careers in rural health care. To date, the Trust has provided more than 450 grants to help more than 250 students.
"Thanks to the Trust, I and a fellow student had a very informative shadowing opportunity in Vanderhoof, helping us get to know what practicing and living there might be like," said Gisele Adam, a second-year Northern Medical Program student.
Tickets cost $125 each or $1,200 for a table of 10, and are available from the Office of Development at UNBC online at www.unbc.ca/giving.
For more information contact the UNBC Development Office at 250-960-5750 or [email protected].
