What inspires you about rural medicine and your community?

Rural medicine makes the biggest impact in healthcare, bar none. It is true cradle-to-grave care, where you're with your patients and their families along their life journeys, through all their highs and all their lows, all their celebrations, and all their tragedies. You're there for births. You're there for emergencies. You're there to ensure comfort and dignity at the end of life. You're there to heal and guide in all situations. In my opinion, the more rural you are, the bigger impact you make (as your scope of practice gets wider and wider), so I have always been attracted to remote medicine in tiny hospitals and nursing stations.

When did you first become involved with the SRPC?

I became involved as a medical student. Initially, it was because there were bursaries for Alberta medical students to attend the annual Rural and Remote Conference, and the free trip to Whistler sounded really nice.  However, once there, I became enamored by how collegial and tight-knit the entire rural community was. I was welcomed with open arms by everybody. Since then, I got more and more involved with the SRPC.

Prior to the reconfiguration of regional reps, I was one of the Northwest reps (for the 3 Territories and BC). Although I am still licensed in all 3 Territories and BC, most of my practice shifted to Alberta.

Therefore, with the reconfiguration, I was shifted into the Alberta rep position.  I have been working hard on the goal of pan-Canadian medical licensure as well as working on ensuring the government's proposals to change the MAID laws take into account the unique needs of rural Canadians.  I don't care what role I have in the future; I'll be involved in the SRPC regardless of whether I have a formal role or not.

What makes the SRPC relevant to your rural practice, and why?

Without the SRPC advocating for rural medicine, rural medicine would have very little voice nationally, drowned out by the urban-centric CFPC and CMA. Because we have a strong voice, we are able to advocate effectively for rural Canadians and for rural docs.

If you were stranded on a deserted island or a remote community, what three pieces of medical equipment could you not live without and why?

POCUS ultrasound probe, tablet it connects to, and a power generator to keep them charged. Ultrasound is the present and the future of medicine.

A favourite quote?

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -- Robert Heinlein