In memory of our friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Ross, the Victoria Medical Society and the surgeons of South Vancouver Island are pleased to create this scholarship that will be awarded to deserving Island Medical Program students pursuing a career in surgery. This award provides financial support for these students in honour of Dr. Ross who was a pioneering Head and Neck surgeon who saved the lives of many Island Health patients.
For 60 years Dr. Ross served the people of Vancouver Island. His practice focused on highly demanding and complex care of patients with head and neck cancers. Following retirement from his own practice he continued to serve as a consultant at the Cancer Clinic and the Island Health Pain Clinic and teach at the Island Medical Program. He was a leader when called upon and served as Chief of Surgery at the Royal Jubilee Hospital for many years as well as President of the Victoria Medical Society. He had an insatiable zeal for life-long learning and was a frequent visitor of the medical school library. Dr. Ross never failed to be thoughtful, kind and generous.
He was a tireless promoter of the Victoria medical community, proudly listing off the accomplishments of the doctors and nurses serving Victoria and Vancouver Island. He supported transformational changes to medical practice but in particular, he was a strong proponent for MAID.
Dr. Ross is honoured by his colleagues for his lifelong devotion to the care of his patients as a kind and respected physician but also as a scholar, as a leader in the community, as a devoted husband and father, and as a man of many interests and talents. Michael’s renaissance style will be missed, however he will be remembered as a person who lived life well and took advantage of his time with us. We hope to create an enduring award in his memory and we respectfully ask for your donation to benefit Island Medical students interested in surgery.
Read Dr. Michael Ross' story here in the Times Colonist Islander here.
If you would prefer to give over the phone or by mail or have any questions about your giving please contact Charlene Smith, Leadership Giving Officer, by phone at 250-472-4834 or by email at leadershipgiving4@uvic.ca.
If you would like to have your name listed on the Victoria Medical Society website and/or share a memory of Dr. Michael Ross, please fill out the form on their website.
The University of Victoria is collecting your personal information in accordance with s. 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about how UVic manages your personal information contact privacyinfo@uvic.ca.