Prairie Mountain Health launched Rural Week in 2003 as an optional experience within the University of Manitoba’s first-year medical curriculum and became a mandatory component the following year.
More than 20 years later, the initiative is going stronger than ever.
Adrian Fung is the chief medical officer for PMH. He says this program continues to produce incredible results.
"The importance really can't be overstated. The origin of this was to expose early medical student learners to what rural medicine is, what it is like, and what you get to do, so you're not so urban-centric," said Fung. "Even if you don't end up working in a rural area, you gain that beginning of understanding of what rural life is like."
Students from the University of Manitoba's Max Rady College of Medicine will take part in Rural Week from May 25 to 29 and June 1 to 5. Dr. Kyle Conrad is a past Rural Week participant.
He is now a family anesthetist based in Brandon, while also supporting Minnedosa, Neepawa and Northern Manitoba.
This year, Prairie Mountain Health is hosting 41 students in 14 communities. This includes Dauphin, Grandview, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Roblin, Russell, and Ste. Rose. While in the past not all students decided to stay and work in a rural setting, Fung says some have.
"It's one of those things. They see the community, fall in love with it, and want to know more about it," continued Fung. "They go back to training in that community, near it, and stay in touch with the doctors and the community itself."
Fung says the program has been very beneficial over the past two-plus decades. There have been many success stories to come from it.
"Students who have never left a city, grew up in Winnipeg, and never left," ended Fung. "Even some who grew up in Toronto and were doing medical school in Winnipeg, and are now in rural training programs in their post-grad training, because they have this exposure. We have been seeing some very good successes from it."
Prairie Mountain Health thanks healthcare professionals and community volunteers whose dedication makes Rural Week possible
