Future doctors explore rural medicine in Brandon

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This article was published 27/01/2025 (314 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The University of Manitoba’s medical student Rural Interest Group (RIG) partnered with Health Careers Manitoba, the Max Rady College of Medicine, the Faculty of Sciences, and Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) for a weekend focused on rural medicine.

On Saturday morning, 45 medical students visited the Brandon Regional Health Centre, while another 30 explored opportunities in Killarney, showcasing the appeal of practising in rural communities.

The initiative, which aims to expose medical students to the benefits and challenges of rural health care, included interactive tours, networking opportunities, and hands-on clinical workstations, PMH associate chief medical officer Dr. Savitri Ramaya said.

“It’s always a challenge to attract talent to smaller cities like Brandon, but programs like this are making a difference,” Ramaya told the Sun. “Here, students gain more hands-on experience and one-on-one teaching than they might in urban hospitals.”

Ramaya said students with rural roots or ties to the community are often more likely to stay long-term.

“We’re already recruiting,” she said. “Those with a commitment to the community are the ones who will stay and thrive.”

Prairie Mountain Health went above and beyond for the trip, RIG co-president Regina Klassen told the Sun on Saturday.

“From Friday night’s warm welcome and dinner with local doctors and staff to today’s hands-on experiences and hospital tour, it’s been incredible,” she said.

During the tour, she added, her colleagues learned about Brandon’s growing health-care infrastructure, including the ongoing hospital expansion.

“Brandon is not just looking for family physicians; there’s a need for specialists and professionals across all care areas,” Klassen noted. She highlighted Brandon’s unique longitudinal training opportunity for third-year medical students, which she hopes to pursue this fall.

For many students from Winnipeg, the weekend provided a rare glimpse into rural medicine.

“It’s important for students from urban areas to see what practising in rural communities is like,” Klassen said. “Events like this remove barriers by offering students the chance to explore rural health care without financial burdens.”

Klassen, who is originally from Steinbach, reflected on how RIG bridges the gap between urban and rural health-care experiences: “For students from smaller communities, travelling long distances is second nature. But for city students, this event might be their first exposure to rural health-care environments, which is crucial for broadening their perspectives.”

Last year, PMH hosted a record-breaking 55 students. This year, participation grew to 75 students, a testament to the program’s impact and popularity. The RIG weekend offers students not only educational opportunities but also a chance to network with professionals and consider rural medicine as a viable career path.

As Klassen concluded, “This weekend is a reminder of the rewarding possibilities in rural health care. The connections we’ve made and the hands-on experiences we’ve gained here in Brandon will shape our perspectives and career decisions for years to come.”

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