Spending time with a rural Alberta physician through RhPAP’s Rural Mentorship Program become a pivotal moment for a Penhold medical student.
While a rural medical career was always in the forefront of Laurel Ford’s mind, she had reservations about the scope of a family physician.
The first-year University of Calgary medical student says it took research, conversations with physicians, and spending a day shadowing a Lacombe physician through RhPAP’s mentorship program for her to realize that family medicine aligned with her goals.
Ford was recently awarded an annual RhPAP Rural Medical Student Award. The one-time $5,000 contribution was set up to assist with a student’s tuition, accommodation, living, and/or professional development expenses.
In her application, Ford credits the importance of RhPAP’s mentorship opportunity and her research in discussing the profession with other physicians.
“This experience allowed me to witness firsthand the diverse and dynamic scope of rural family practice. It was through these two formative experiences that I became confident in my decision to pursue a career in rural family medicine.”
Ford says she longs to return to her rural roots after growing up in Penhold, in central Alberta. She eventually hopes to enter the Rural Family Medicine Residency in Red Deer.
“This goal is deeply connected to my roots in the neighbouring community, Penhold, and my desire to serve rural communities like the one I was raised in,” explains Ford.
“To this end, I have proactively sought opportunities to broaden my knowledge and skills in rural family medicine.”
Ford currently is involved in the Calgary Student Run Clinic (which provides medical care to inner city residents), the University of Calgary’s Family and Rural Medicine Interest Group, and other rural medicine initiatives.
She says she hopes to eventually work as a locum in rural Alberta before she transitions to her own rural practice. In the meantime, Ford plans to advocate for rural healthcare.
“I strive to combine my rural upbringing with initiatives that inspire my peers to understand the lifestyle within rural communities while exploring and implementing novel strategies to retain physicians in these underserved areas.”
Check out the full list of RhPAP Medical Student Award winners here.