Several Charlotte County medical students have received scholarships through the New Brunswick Medical Education Foundation.
Mackenzie Moore and Powell Moore are two of those students.
Powell Moore is in his second year at Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax.
“I started with a foundational interest in science,” he said. “I’m sure all medical students say that to begin with but I think my primary interest in medicine is actually the people side of things.”
He said his primary interest would be helping people through surgery.
“I find that super interesting and I’ve had some great mentors so far through medical school and that kind of confirmed it,” he said.
He said the most significant barrier to medical school can be the financial aspect.
“So, kind of having that burden eased allows me to focus more on my studies rather than worrying about how I’m going to pay off this debt,” Powell said. “It just kind of eases those nerves and anxiety about that.”
Both Powell and Mackenzie — a brother and sister duo from Saint Andrews — were awarded the Sir James Dunn Medical Bursary valued at $13,000.
Mackenzie Moore is in her clerkship year, or third year, also with Dalhousie Medical School.
“It’s a real honour to be able to have the support that scholarship gives,” she said. “Being able to go to medical school is a huge privilege, but being able to have support through it, that just kind of gives peace of mind.”
She said there was a time in her life when she thought she might want to be a veterinarian, but it developed into a dream to be a doctor.
Mackenzie said the ability to advocate for people and social justice is also part of the reason she was attracted to being a physician.
Her community has been a big part of her pursuit of this career.
“I think growing up in Saint Andrews was really wonderful because it’s such a close-knit community that I always felt supported by not only family and friends, but community members,” she said.
Mackenzie hopes to return to New Brunswick after she finishes up her education.
She, too, said the financial support is meaningful. Mackenzie said the journey to medical school looks differently for everybody and with the help of NBMEF, the financial part is less burdensome.
“Sometimes, it is helpful to keep in mind that when you’re struggling, that is when growth is happening,” she said. “It’s hard to see it in the moment when you are struggling, but for me personally, it was helpful to reflect and realize that even though it might feel unpleasant. This is going to work out in the end because I’ll be better for it.”
In 2026, the NBMEF was able to help provide funding to 183 students, totalling $1.57 million in tuition relief.
The organization also does return-for-service agreements for some students in order to help New Brunswick recruit and retain physicians.
A student who signs these agreements must return to New Brunswick, sometimes to a particular community, for a certain number of years to receive the tuition relief.
Several other students also received scholarships including:
- Sarah Sheppard, CPKC Medical Education Scholarship.
- Isaac Groom, Eastern Charlotte Medical Education Scholarship.
- Raeghan O’Leary, Sir James Dunn Medical Bursary.
- Andrew Smith, The A and R Fund for Future Physicians Scholarship.
- Samuel McGaw, The Berton W. Huestis Memorial Medical Education Scholarship.
