ONE lucky Bermudian medical student is about to receive a scholarship worth $100,000.

The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda (HAB) has put up the money to mark its 50th anniversary.

The successful candidate will be a Bermudian or spouse of a Bermudian who has been accepted at, or is currently enrolled in, a recognised medical school.

Those wishing to apply for the scholarship must submit all academic records, including transcripts, alongside an essay, entitled "What makes a good doctor" by June 30, 2004.

The HAB runs three businesses, the gift shop and the coffee shop inside the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, as well as The Barn.

HAB president Joy Williams expected the one-off, six-figure scholarship to inspire a lot of interest.

"We are hoping that between 20 and 30 people will apply," Ms Williams said. "This is an exciting offering for us as we have never before provided a scholarship of this magnitude to a medical student.

"We have a small population, but we can never have enough doctors. I would be happy for the HAB to have a hand in producing another Bermudian doctor."

Ms Williams said the HAB had a focus on education. Candy Stripers ? young HAB volunteers aged between 14 and 18 ? regularly benefited from educational programmes and scholarships, she said.

"Since 1953, with currently more than 300 volunteers, the HAB has proudly supported both of the islands hospitals. We give 50,000 hours of service each year."

Application forms for the scholarship are available from the Bermuda Hospitals Board Human Resources Department, located in Montrose Cottage at KEMH.

Joan Dillas-Wright, the BHB's chief executive officer, said: "We are delighted that the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda is able to donate these funds.

"Achieving a medical degree is extremely costly, especially for local students who must travel overseas to obtain their education. We are very proud of their initiative."

l For more information, please contact Claudette Stirling, Human Resources, at 236-2345.