For many medical students, the idea of rural medicine is just that—an idea. But an initiative from UBC’s Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is helping turn that concept into lived experience.
Launched as part of the Rural Education Action Plan (REAP), the Rural Medicine Community Experience gives pre-clerkship medical students a rare opportunity to shadow rural family physicians and see first-hand what life and work look like in rural British Columbia.
In its first year, the program welcomed 14 students. In its second year, participation grew to 20 students. Now in its third year, in spring 2025, eight weekend trips brought 31 students to four rural communities—Gibsons, Nakusp, Lillooet, and Campbell River—where they were paired with passionate rural physicians eager to share both their clinical knowledge and their communities.
Third-year medical student Jennifer Zhang, one of FMIG’s rural shadowing coordinators, highlighted that the initiative has been a rewarding experience not only for students but also for preceptors in host communities. “It’s been such a privilege connecting students who are keen to gain exposure to rural practice with preceptors who are excited to teach and share their community,” Jennifer shared. “Preceptors told us that having eager learners so early in their training gave them a boost in morale, while students consistently reported how meaningful, helpful, and inspiring the experiences were.”
Students were hosted by the following rural preceptors:
- Dr. Gulav Naman – Lillooet
- Dr. Adam Stich – Nakusp
- Drs. Annette McCall and Andrea Stinson – Gibsons
- Dr. Angela Logan – Campbell River
A Deeper Kind of Care
From navigating complex care with limited resources to sharing tea in patients’ kitchens during house calls, students were immersed in the unique realities of rural practice. The experience left many inspired—not just by the clinical variety, but by the deep relationships and trust that define rural medicine. Three students who visited Nakusp and Gibsons shared their reflections.
“I didn’t just learn about patients’ medical conditions, but for some, I got to see how they lived, hear their life stories, and understand how their environment shaped their health,” shared Thunuvi Waliwitiya, a second-year student from UBC’s Vancouver Fraser Medical Program, who shadowed Dr. McCall in Gibsons. “Dr. McCall was able to move seamlessly between clinic visits, inpatient care, long-term care rounds, and house calls.”
Another second-year student from the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program, Sarah Wong, shared a similar reflection, describing how rural physicians build deep and lasting relationships with their patients. “There’s something special about how rural family physicians do it all and make it feel so personal. Being welcomed into their homes created a sense of trust and connection that felt so genuine and meaningful”, she said. For Sarah, this experience not only made her think more seriously about rural medicine as a career path but also deepened her appreciation of the work that rural doctors do.
“This experience gave me a glimpse into the depth and breadth of rural medicine, and it left me wanting to spend more time in these communities, both as a learner and one day as a physician.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For Taryn Murray, a first-year student based out of UBC’s Southern Medical Program, the weekend in Nakusp shadowing Dr. Adam Stitch expanded her understanding of what rural healthcare can look like. “One key learning moment was seeing how resource constraints in rural communities require physicians to be creative and adaptable when delivering care,” she said. “It showed me that being a good physician is not solely about knowledge—it’s also about resourcefulness and problem-solving.”
Jennifer noted that many participants were new to rural medicine and found this initiative a welcoming first experience. “Some students don’t know much about rural medicine but are interested going in,” she explained, “but leave feeling energized and open to the possibility of a rural career.”
Community as a Classroom
Beyond the clinic walls, students felt embraced by the communities they visited. “There’s sometimes a perception that rural communities might be hesitant to welcome outsiders,” said Thunuvi. “But my experience in Gibsons couldn’t have been more different. Patients were genuinely excited to include curious medical students in their care.”
The setting of comunity itself left a strong impression. “The Sunshine Coast is stunning—with the ocean, beaches, forests, and wildlife all right there. But what stood out most was the incredible sense of community and connection.” said Thunuvi.
“In every patient interaction, I saw the trust and long-standing relationships the physician had built. That level of connection clearly enhanced the quality of care and showed me the importance of continuity in family medicine.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Rural Physicians
“Students and preceptors alike have shared how much they enjoyed this program,” said Jennifer. “It’s unique in that it offers shadowing opportunities in the early, pre-clinical years of medical school, and it makes a difference. We’ve heard from students who now feel more confident considering rural medicine as part of their career path.”
After shadowing rural physicians, medical students described a deeper understanding of the continuity of care and the versatility required in rural settings and how this experience offers a kind of learning and perspective you just can’t get in a classroom.
“I feel inspired to meaningfully contribute to rural healthcare in the future,” said Thunuvi. “Whether that’s incorporating rural care into my future practice or supporting rural engagement in research or education. I hope to increase rural engagement among my peers and support the next generation of learners.”
Sarah reflected on what drew her to participate. “I love how the work is unpredictable and rooted in strong relationships. There’s something special about how rural family physicians do it all and make it feel so personal.”
Taryn noted that the experience strengthened her desire to pursue rural family medicine. “This weekend really emphasized how rural family physicians truly practice full-scope medicine,” she said. “In just a couple of days, I got to observe how the physician was not only providing in-office care for patients but also emergency care, inpatient care, and geriatric care, highlighting how broad and dynamic rural family practice can be. The versatility of rural medicine is what continues to draw me to it.”
Lifestyle to live and practice rurally is also a major draw for Taryn. Having a quieter pace and access to nature fits well with her hobbies of hiking, skiing, and camping. “The opportunity to practice in a rural setting would allow me to combine a meaningful career and fulfilling personal life.”
Looking Ahead
Thanks to generous support from the Rural Education Action Plan (REAP) and the warm hospitality of rural physicians and communities, the program continues to thrive. Students have also expressed high satisfaction and overall increased interest in practicing rurally. “We’re so grateful for our preceptors and host communities,” said Jennifer. “We’re excited to keep growing this initiative in the coming years.”
About UBC Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG): Rural Medicine Community Experience
The Rural Medicine Community Experience initiative, funded by the Rural Education Action Plan (REAP), aims to expose pre-clerkship UBC medical students to rural medicine and foster their interest in pursuing a rural practice. The FMIG group is actively expanding its list of potential preceptors to ensure the program’s availability in different communities and accommodate preceptor availability.
If you are a preceptor interested in hosting future medical students in your rural community, please email the FMIG Rural Shadowing Chair, Jennifer Zhang, at jz15089@student.ubc.ca.
