Dr. Tomer Levy was born on October 10, 1963 in Montreal, Quebec. He moved to Ottawa, Ontario with his family in 1978 where he graduated from Glebe Collegiate High School in 1982. Following high school, he attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario for two years. He transferred to the University of Toronto’s Medical school, graduated in 1988 and then spent two years of residency in family medicine in Toronto, Ontario.
Dr. Levy travelled to Guyana in 1991 to work as a volunteer with a Canadian team of eye specialists. In 1991-1992, he worked as a volunteer at St. Mary’s Catholic Mission Hospital in Papua, New Guinea. During this time, he became involved in the cultural activities of the Tokai (Indigenous) people of the area. Dr. Levy’s love of many cultures inspired him to travel extensively in Africa and Asia. During these travels, he explored local traditional medicine and healing practices.
Upon his return to Toronto, he worked as a family practitioner in the emergency room of the Peel Memorial Hospital and at The House, a community health centre for youth (a program of Planned Parenthood Toronto). In 1993, Dr. Levy began working at Anishnawbe Health Toronto and showed deep affection and respect for First Nation peoples and their Traditional Medicine.
Dr. Levy went back to Papua, New Guinea in 1996 as Chief Medical Officer at St. Mary’s Hospital.
On June 8, 1996 – Dr. Tomer Levy died tragically in a mountain climbing accident.
His family has established a trust fund in his name to assist students of Aboriginal ancestry who are pursuing a career in medicine for the purpose of working within the Aboriginal Community.
Who Can Apply?
Students wishing to apply for the Dr. Tomer Levy Memorial Bursary must meet the following:
- Be of Aboriginal, Inuit or Métis descent;
- Are currently in good standing at a Medical school;
- Have their home community in Ontario;
- Desire to work within the Aboriginal Community upon completion of their education;
- Require financial assistance for medical studies.
You may download the application. All documentation should be completed, mailed or scanned to info@aht.ca