• Faculty of Health Sciences

The James Walker Wood Scholarship in Medicine

Established by The Walker Wood Foundation in memory of Dr. James Walker Wood.

James Walker Wood was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on September 9th, 1889. He was one of nine children. His father was the harbour master of Aberdeen, a prestigious but poorly paid position.

James excelled at school and was awarded a grant/scholarship from the Carnegie Foundation to attend Medical School at the University of Aberdeen.

Following his graduation, MBCHB, in 1914, he joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders as a medical officer. He was promptly dispatched to the trenches on the Western Front during World War I. He served at Ypres, the Somme and Flanders, where he quickly had to learn the skills required of an army physician.

On returning to England in 1918 he became a family practitioner in a poor working class area in Leeds, Yorkshire. He opened a practice, which was attached to his family home, and provided 24 hour care for the local population 365 days of the year. He spent the rest of his life diligently attending to his patients without complaint.

In 1968, Dr. Wood was killed in a head on car collision whilst visiting his brothers in South Africa. To commemorate his life of dedication and service, his son and daughter-in-law, Neil and Susan Wood, established The Walker Wood Foundation in 2005. The main objective of the Foundation is to provide financial aid and encouragement to worthy students throughout Canada.