Leanne Thompson
What education have you taken?
I attended elementary school at Forrest Elementary and graduated from Elton Collegiate in 2010 where I was on the Honour Roll from grades 9 to 12. I am currently completing my 3rd year of my Bachelor of Science with a Biology (Biomedical Stream) major and a Chemistry minor.
What accomplishments are you proud of?
I am proud of receiving the Governor Generals Award for Highest Academic Standing in Grade 11 and 12 and having been the class elected Valedictorian for Elton Collegiate Class of 2010. Upon graduation from Elton Collegiate I also received 15 additional scholarships from the school and a Manitoba Youth Leadership Award. Upon entering Brandon University I received the Brandon University Board of Governor’s Entrance Scholarship and the Charles W. Burns Scholarship in Pre-Medicine which has been renewed the past two years. I am sincerely thankful for having received these scholarships as they have allowed me to complete my schooling without the stress of having to work 20 hours a week and have let me focus on my studies.
I am very proud of my past involvement with St. John Ambulance, an organization with which I volunteered 12 years and over 1500 hours. With this organization I received a ‘Priory Vote of Thanks’ and the ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ Award. During my time with St. John Ambulance I won 2 first aid competitions and was selected to attend a St. John Ambulance Youth Camp in Wales with 3 other members. With St. John Ambulance I certified to the level of Advanced Medical First Responder and became a junior leader. I am also proud to be an active volunteer with the Brandon Regional Health Authority in the emergency room of the hospital. I have volunteered over 150 hours at the hospital in the past year and a half. I am also a proud member of the Brandon University Zoological Society.
Tell me about yourself/ your background/ your history.
I grew up just outside of Forrest, Manitoba on an acreage with a very close family. My family and I are very close which is why I was devastated when my older sister Ashley was tragically killed a year and a half ago. My family has always been supportive of me in pursuing my dreams and I work hard to make them and myself proud every single day.
Throughout my schooling I have always been involved in extracurricular activities. I began taking piano lessons when I was 5 and this helped foster the love of music which continued through to high school where I was highly involved in the school choir and jazz band. In high school I was an active member of the Student Council, taking the position of student representative and treasurer. I was also the treasurer for my grad committee. I began volunteering at the age of 6 when I first enrolled in St. John Ambulance as a junior member. I proceeded to spend 12 years in St. John Ambulance eventually becoming a junior leader. It is through this organization that I learned my love of helping people and being involved with the community. I have gone on to tutor students in math, participate in the Relay for Life and now volunteer with the Brandon Regional Health Authority as an emergency room liaison. I began to work at a small dollar store when I was 13 years old and held this job through my school year up to this year. I have worked at the Brandon Research Center for the past 4 summers with the same crew in Agronomy. This experience has given me much insight into the research process and introduced me to many people that I am proud to call friends.
I began to love traveling when I was only young and have traveled most of Canada. I learned the love of different cultures after touring Brazil, Argentina, Wales, London, and France. I enjoyed different experiences such as speaking a different language, learning different traditions, even going caving! I have a deep love for animals which has resulted in my family owning 4 cats, 2 dogs, and a ferret. When time permits I also enjoy skating, skiing, running, swimming, and visiting with my friends and family.
How did you become interested in your field of study?
I gained interest in medicine at a young age as I was volunteering with St. John Ambulance. I loved the feeling of helping people and that has driven me toward the field of health care. In elementary school I gained an interest in biology as I had an inspiring teacher and this interest has carried through to Brandon University where I began to learn the anatomy and physiology of the human body. My decision to become a doctor arose after job shadowing various doctors in high school and seeing their techniques of diagnostics and treatment. My family has always been supportive of my goal to become a doctor and this has helped me to feel proud for pursuing it.
What is your philosophy in life?
I believe that life is what you make of it. Instead of giving up when things get tough you have to take a step back and try your best to get through it. Everyone needs a little bit of help sometimes and asking for it only makes you a stronger person in the long run. Appreciate what you have in life and remember that everything will work out in the long run. Work hard for what you want in life and celebrate every small victory.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In the future I want to love what I do and continue learning. I see myself working as a physician surrounded by people that love me and traveling the globe indulging myself in new and different experiences from various cultures.
Nominator’s Comments
Leanne exhibits solidly and uniformly excellent academic accomplishments in pursuit of her biomedical courses and entrance in to medical school. She volunteers at the hospital ER and with other community based agencies. She has had a long and award-winning relationship with volunteer training and activity through the Saint John Ambulance youth division. For relaxation she plays music, is an active outdoors-person, and has travelled extensively and to good effect. Notably, she has received the ‘Charles W. Burns Scholarship in Pre-Medicine’ for each of the past 3 years. She has been granted a ‘Priory Vote of Thanks’ and received a ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ award from St. John Ambulance. She has several years of summer employment at the Brandon Research Center in the agronomy department. She is also a member of the Golden Key Honour Society. She was selected to appear in photographic and radio advertising and promotion for Brandon University. She is well balanced in academics and outside life, and is a great role model for others in her understated but firm resolve.