Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is hosting the University of Manitoba medical student Rural Interest Group in Brandon on January 27-28. 

The Rural Interest Group (RIG) weekend promotes the benefits of practicing medicine in rural communities and available lifestyle opportunities. Some 34 first and second-year medical students will participate.

PMH has been a strong advocate for the initiative as it provides the health region with additional opportunities to engage medical students early in their training.

Clinical workstations will be set up at Brandon Regional Health Centre to allow the students to put their skills to the test by undertaking tasks like suturing, casting and airway management. Student RIG Co-President Sydney McLaughlin says participants are looking forward to the event after a brief pause due to the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of both the Rural Interest Group and the University of Manitoba Medical Classes of 2025 and 2026, I would like to extend a huge thank you to PMH for the preparations and for welcoming 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.”