Medical students visit PMH as part of rural interest group
In partnership with Health Careers Manitoba and the Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Sciences, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) hosted the University of Manitoba medical student Rural Interest Group in Brandon and Souris on January 26-27, 2024. The Rural Interest Group (RIG) weekend promotes the benefits of practicing medicine in rural communities and available lifestyle opportunities. A record 55 first and second-year medical students participated in the region this year with groups split into clinical workstations at each site.
Student RIG President Vienna Peters says participants were very pleased with the event.
“On behalf of both the Rural Interest Group and the University of Manitoba Medical Classes of 2026 and 2027, I would like to extend a huge thank you to PMH for hosting us again this year. These events are so important for our education as they expose students to what it is like to work in rural medicine, provide opportunities for students to network with doctors and residents, and give us an idea of what it is like to work within the health region.”
PMH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung says the RIG workshop provides the health region with additional opportunities to engage medical students early in their training.
“We continue to have success with this proactive and student-led initiative,” Dr. Fung stated. “Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) has been a mainstay for this workshop and the community of Souris has also been a proud host in past years. The region participates in, and explores, many avenues of health-care provider recruitment. This event, and the Rural Week event in May are two that create a lot of interest and excitement every year!”
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara supports and appreciated the workshop’s objectives.
“I started out my career in rural Manitoba as a psychiatric nurse, it was the best training ground for me to develop my skills and pursue my passion for healthcare. Working in rural Manitoba affords you the ability to really connect with folks in the community, and for me that was most important.”
Health Careers Manitoba and PMH sincerely appreciated the support of regional physicians, staff and volunteers who helped make the RIG weekend a success.