Meet the four Alberta medical students who received the 2025 RhPAP Rural Medical Student Award.
The award provides a one-time contribution of $5,000 to assist with the student’s tuition, accommodation, living, and/or professional development expenses.
Laurel Ford, Penhold, AB
Spending time with a rural Alberta physician through RhPAP’s Rural Mentorship Program become a pivotal moment for Laurel, a Penhold medical student. While a rural medical career was always in the forefront of Laurel’s mind, she had reservations about the scope of a family physician.
Click here to read Laurel’s full story.
Adam Guthrie, Ponoka, AB
Adam, a first-year medical student from Ponoka, hopes connecting his business training and interest in technology will help him establish a successful medical practice in rural Alberta.
Read Adam’s full story here.
Rachel Stefaniuk, Willingdon, AB
Watching her “baba” navigate cancer in a small rural Alberta community with few healthcare options prompted Rachel to study medicine.
Click here to read Rachel’s story.
Nathan Van Decker, Strathmore, AB
Nathan is passionate about promoting the virtues of a rural career as he traverses his own journey. One of eight children, he is used to helping out. Now in his second year of medicine, Nathan sees great potential in helping high school students navigate their academic journey with an emphasis on returning to rural life after they graduate.
Click here to read his full story.