April 29, 2010
PRINCE GEORGE PHYSICIAN HONOURED AT BC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

PRINCE GEORGE – Prince George physician Bert Kelly was among forty-five outstanding British Columbians yesterday at British Columbia Government House who were granted BC Community Achievement Awards by Premier Gordon Campbell and Keith Mitchell, chair of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation.

“I have always believed that Dr. Kelly’s tireless commitment to northern health care was deserving of formal recognition, so it is very fitting that he has been honoured with this award,” says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “We were very proud to see Northern residents represented amongst these outstanding community representatives.”

“Dr. Kelly is a legendary hero in northern health care,” says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “Prince George’s health projects and services have increased immensely over the past decade and Bert has had a direct role in making much of that happen.”

Since 2000, Dr. Bert Kelly has advocated for change in the delivery of health care in northern BC. Dr. Kelly was instrumental in the establishment of the Northern Medical program at the University of Northern BC and laboratory technology and radiology programs at the College of New Caledonia. In addition, Dr. Kelly has successfully campaigned for a comprehensive cancer care centre in Prince George.

During a formal presentation at Government House yesterday in Victoria, Dr. Kelly received a certificate and a medallion designed by B.C. artist Robert Davidson. Several members of Dr. Kelly’s family attended to share in the celebration.

The British Columbia Community Achievement Awards are generously sponsored by Canwest, Canada’s leading international media company, whose presence in B.C. includes daily and community newspapers, online media and television stations. The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is an independent foundation established and endowed by the Province of BC to recognize and celebrate excellence in the arts, humanities, enterprise and community service.

The Community Achievement Awards, launched in 2003, were the first initiative of the foundation, followed by BC Creative Achievement Award for Applied Art and Design, B.C.’s National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, BC Creative Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art, and the B.C. Aboriginal Business Awards.

Visit Pat website at www.patbellmla.bc.ca

Visit Shirley’s website at www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca

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