LONDON, ON, May 8 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame announced
today it has received a $300,000 gift from TD Bank Financial Group in support
of its Discovery Days in Health Sciences program, which this year will provide
more than 2,200 high school and CEGEP students the opportunity to attend one
of nine Discovery Days held in universities and colleges across Canada.
    "The University of Western Ontario, in partnership with Fanshawe College,
is thrilled to host the largest and longest-standing Discovery Day in the
country. Today marks our 13th Discovery Day and thanks to TD's support,
hundreds more students will get a chance to visit research labs, classrooms
and surgical rooms and find out what it's really like to be a health
professional," said Dr. Carol Herbert, dean of the Schulich School of Medicine
& Dentistry and board chair of The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
    At a time when science is essential to solving the world's problems and
governments and educators are seeking innovative ways to recruit future
scientists, the Discovery Days program is doing its part by inspiring young
people to pursue careers in medicine and the health sciences. Through a
dynamic keynote speaker, hands-on workshops and a lively career panel
discussion, students are introduced to the myriad of professions along the
health continuum.
    "We're thrilled to become the title sponsor and long-term partner of the
Discovery Days program. Experiencing a 'day in the life' of a health
professional is the kind of hands-on opportunity that challenges, inspires and
engages youth and we're proud to play a supporting role in their future
success," said Chuck Hounsell, Senior Vice President, TD Canada Trust, Western
Ontario Region.
    Since 1997, over 12,000 students and teachers have benefited from
Discovery Days including Aboriginal and rural communities where the need is
greatest. In 2009, more than 675 health professionals shared their passion for
their work to over 2000 students across Canada. Results showed that the
students' interest, excitement and knowledge about a career in the health
sciences increased after their Discovery Day experience.
    "Growing up in rural Newfoundland there was little exposure to the wide
variety of fields within health care and medicine," recalls Jo Jo Leung, 3rd
year medical student at the University of Toronto. "I distinctly remember the
anatomy lab at my first Discovery Day at Memorial University. It was amazing!
It sparked my interest in a health career and led me to where I am today. I am
so grateful that I was given that opportunity."

    Established in 1994 and located in London, Ontario, The Canadian Medical
Hall of Fame is a national charitable organization serving as a tribute to
Canadian men and women who have forever changed the world's health care
landscape and who inspire future generations of medical heroes. More details
can be found at www.cdnmedhall.org.

For further information: Janet Tufts, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame,
(519) 280-9669, cell (519) 488-2003, jtufts@cdnmedhall.org; Yvette Scrivener,
TD Bank Financial Group, (519) 663-1750, yvette.scrivener@td.com