The Adirondack Community Trust, which administers the Dr. U. R. Plante Medical Scholarship Fund, is taking applications for the an annual $10,000 scholarship to a student attending medical school.

Eligible students must be a resident of the Adirondack Park, or St. Lawrence or other North Country county, or have lived there for at least two years. The student must also be accepted and studying at an accredited U.S. or Canadian medical school.

The candidate must also be willing to return to the Adirondack region or be willing to practice in a remote part of the U.S. or another country where doctors are needed for at least two years. The application deadline is April 11, 2011.

This fund was established in honor of Dr. U. R. Plante, an extremely dedicated, generous Massena, NY man who knew the difficulties of affording medical school. In fact, Dr. Plante borrowed money from his sister, a school teacher, so he could attend medical school at the University of Vermont where he graduated in 1915. He practiced medicine in Massena where he delivered many of the area’s babies in his 56 year tenure.

Recognizing the critical need for competent medical professionals in the North Country, the Plante family established this scholarship in his honor in hopes of helping the next generation of doctors in our rural community.

The Adirondack Community Trust works with generous donors like the Plante family to facilitate their philanthropy. By directing donor dollars into the right areas, we can help young people attain their educational goals. For applications or more information on the Dr. U. R. Plante Medical Scholarship Fund contact Scholarship Coordinator, Andrea Grout at the Adirondack Community Trust (518) 523-9904 or download an application at www.GenerousAct.org.