Rural Stream

Welcome to the Rural Stream within the Department of Family Medicine at the ß÷ßäÉçÇø. Our program is built for those passionate about rural medicine, offering the unique opportunity for hands-on training in rural environments. With distributed sites in Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Camrose and Yellowknife, you’ll receive the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to excel in a variety of rural practice settings.

We strongly believe future rural physicians should train in the setting in which they will practice. The training program is rigorous and comprehensive with acute care rotations to challenge and build competent family medicine practitioners.

Our graduates universally report they have gained the knowledge and skills required to confidently practice in any community in Canada.

Program Highlights

Family Medicine-centred and Rural-focused

  • You will complete a minimum of four months rural family medicine block time in PGY1 for all sites and six months rural family medicine in PGY2 for all sites.
  • You can select speciality rotations tailored to be relevant to your future goals.
  • Former grads from our program make up a large number of preceptors, and are key in sharing their passion for rural medicine with you.

Rigorous and Comprehensive

  • You’ll complete mandatory acute care rotations to challenge and build your confidence.
  • You’ll be immersed in full-scope family medicine, including emergency medicine, obstetrics, in-patient care, palliative care and more.
  • You’ll get academic days, an evidence-based curriculum, research opportunities, exam prep and more!

Flexible and Adaptive

  • We tailor your training to best prepare you for your community.
  • You’ll receive amazing clinical teaching experiences in a variety of rural communities.
  • You’ll have access to a wide array of off-service rotations and elective opportunities.
  • You can explore interprovincial and international elective opportunities.

Resident Wellness and Education

  • You’ll get access to our Dedicated Assistant Program Director (APD) for Resident Support to help you succeed.
  • Don’t miss our regular social and wellness activities organized by rural residents for rural residents. 
  • Enjoy an annual week-long resident retreat in Hinton for all rural residents 
  • Join practice-management workshops
  • Experience procedural skills workshops including ultrasound training

Hear From Our Residents

Alexandra Holmes
Alexandra Holmes
“It is difficult to describe just how grateful I am for the Red Deer rural family medicine program. In addition to all the things I expected when I joined the program, I was also blown away by the genuine support for the residents. There is a diffuse culture of support from a program, site directors, administration and co-resident level. This wellness support is actively encouraged and truly incorporated into the program. I am so grateful to have been trained by this incredible program.”
Alexandra Holmes
“Our program is flexible, friendly and supportive. The program will ensure that you are successful in pursuing medical training that is best for you and your long term goals — both in medicine and in life. We have endless opportunities to train in a variety of settings. Our program is not service-based yet provides ample volume for learning. We are a smaller group and therefore we all get to know each other well—we have frequent social gatherings for us residents, our partners and our families.”
Sabrine Garrison, MD, BA,
Rural Family Medicine Resident (Red Deer)