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For the past decade, employees at Essar Steel Algoma have held a major fundraiser with the goal of attracting physicians to Sault Ste. Marie. The campaign continues this week with the start of the 2016 Bring a Doctor Home Hockey Tournament and Bursary.

Taking place January 18 to 23 at the John Rhodes Community Centre, this year’s tournament features 17 teams in five divisions. For a schedule of games, along with other information, visit www.bringadoctorhome.com. The public is invited and encouraged to come and support the tournament. Entrance is by donation.

For the Bring a Doctor Home Tournament, players contribute and get pledges that go towards a bursary for a graduating student at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine with Sault Ste. Marie or Algoma District ties. The funding helps the physician cover part of their hefty education fees and encourages them to practice in the Sault.

Since 2006, the Bring a Doctor Home Hockey Tournament and Bursary has raised more than $300,000. With that, bursaries have been awarded to seven graduating physicians. The end result is more doctors now practicing medicine in Sault Ste. Marie.

“It’s great to see employees from all the departments unite to work towards a common goal that supports the community as a whole by encouraging graduates of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to come and practice in the Sault,” said tournament director Chris Lepore.

Along with participating players and volunteers, the 2016 Bring a Doctor Home Hockey Tournament and Bursary is being made possible with event sponsors, including Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Community First Credit Union, Official Game Puck, SK Group, Macmar Drywall, Safeguard, Sportscenter Bar and Grill, Novenco Consultants Ltd., Rada Cutlery, The Shoe Fits, and #8 Battery Thruwall Project.

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