Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC)

04/29/2026

Rural voices need to be part of national healthcare decisions.

Dr. Sarah Giles, President of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, speaks to the importance of truly connected care during discussions on the Connected Care for Canadians Act.

Her message is clear: equitable healthcare must include rural and remote communities.

🎥 Watch her intervention

📍 Video source: Senate of Canada proceedings
https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/harmony/en/powerbrowser/powerbrowserv2?fk=691216&globalstreamid=3

04/24/2026

04/24/2026

🏆 Lifetime Membership Award Recipients🙌✨🎉

The Lifetime Member Award recognizes individuals who have been longstanding members of the SRPC for more than ten consecutive years and have reached the age of 65.

We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients:

Dr. Karl Stobbe (Beamsville, ON)
Dr. Rochelle Dworkin (York, ON)
Dr. Marius Mostert (Fort Nelson, BC)
Dr. Margaret Tromp (Picton, ON)
Dr. John Soles (Clearwater, BC)
Dr. Stephanie Langlois (Renfrew, ON)
Dr. Stephen Arif (Invermere, BC)
Dr. David Opper (Oxford, NS) — unable to attend the ceremony

On behalf of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada and the Nominations and Awards Committee, congratulations to all our award recipients. Your dedication to rural and remote communities across Canada is truly inspiring.

👏 Congratulations to all!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/24/2026

Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine (FRRMS) – 2026 Recipients

We are proud to continue recognizing the 2026 Fellowship recipients:

Dr. Megan Grigg (Wiarton, ON)
Dr. Caroline Shooner (Daajing Giids–Queen Charlotte, BC)
Dr. Sarah Cook (Yellowknife, NT)
Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick (Huntsville, ON)
Dr. Stephanie Langlois (Renfrew, ON)
Dr. Robin Kennie (Perth, ON)
Dr. Jason Malinowski (Barry’s Bay, ON)
Dr. Sean Moore (Keewatin, ON)
Dr. Nicholas Potvin (Clinton, ON)

Additional 2026 FRRMS recipients were recognized in a previous post.

These physicians represent the highest level of commitment to rural and remote medicine in Canada. Their leadership, mentorship, and sustained contributions continue to strengthen rural health care systems and support the next generation of rural physicians.

👏 Congratulations to all Fellowship recipients!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/24/2026

🏆Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine (FRRMS) – 2026 Recipients✨

The Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine of the SRPC (FRRMS) recognizes expertise in the practice of rural medicine in Canada. This prestigious designation honours physicians who have previously received the Rural Service Award, dedicated their careers to rural and remote communities, and met the criteria required for this distinction.

Recipients are SRPC members in good standing for the past five consecutive years and have demonstrated sustained contributions to rural medicine through teaching, education, clinical leadership, committee service, specialized rural practice, and academic work.

We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients:

Dr. Timothy Heerema (Hanover, ON)
Dr. Nadine Potvin (Clinton, ON)
Dr. James Card (Valemount, BC)
Dr. David Whittaker (Vanderhoof, BC)
Dr. Roohina Virk (Chilliwack, BC)
Dr. Laura Noack (Kenora, ON)
Dr. Amanda Bergman (Winkler, MB)
Dr. Kristy Penner (Coleman, AB)

👉 Additional 2026 FRRMS recipients follow in a separate post.

👏 Congratulations to all!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/24/2026

🏆 2026 Rural Long Service Award Recipients

The Rural Long Service Award provides recognition for physicians who have lived and worked in rural Canada for 20 years or more. Recipients are also required to have been members of the SRPC for the past five consecutive years and to have previously received the Rural Service Award.

We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients:

Dr. Sara Van Der Loo (Atikokan, ON)
Dr. Oswaldo Ramirez (Nobleton, ON)
Dr. Jason Malinowski (Barry’s Bay, ON)
Dr. Robin Kennie (Perth, ON)
Dr. Caroline Shooner (Daajing Giids–Queen Charlotte, BC)
Dr. Sean Moore (Keewatin, ON)
Dr. Ray Markham (Valemount, BC)
Dr. Greg Linton (Terrace, BC)
Dr. Stephanie Langlois (Renfrew, ON)
Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick (Huntsville, ON)

These physicians represent decades of commitment to rural communities across Canada. Their long-standing service continues to strengthen access to care and support the health and wellbeing of rural populations nationwide.

👏 Congratulations to all award recipients!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/24/2026

🏆 2026 Rural Service Award Recipients

The Rural Service Award honours physicians who have dedicated at least 10 years to living and working in rural Canada. Recipients are also recognized for their sustained commitment as continuous members of the SRPC for the past five years.

We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients:

Dr. Emily Queenan (Midland, ON)
Dr. Rithesh Ram (Drumheller, AB)
Dr. Lindsey Sutherland (Chatham, ON)
Dr. Andrew Halladay (Whitecourt, AB)
Dr. Frances Kilburtus (Mindemoya, ON)
Dr. Nichole Currie (New Liskeard, ON)
Dr. Andrew Hunt (Twillingate, NL)
Dr. Paul Dhillon (Sechelt, BC) — accepted by Simon Moore
Dr. Tania Sullivan (Antigonish, NS)
Dr. Greg Linton (Terrace, BC)

These physicians represent the dedication and continuity that are essential to rural health care in Canada. Their long-standing commitment to their communities continues to make a meaningful difference across the country.

👏 Congratulations to all award recipients!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/24/2026

🏆 2026 SRPC Special Recognition Award Winners

We are proud to celebrate the 2026 SRPC Special Recognition Award recipients, honouring individuals and institutions whose leadership, service, mentorship, and commitment are strengthening rural and remote health care across Canada.

This year’s recipients include:

Rural Community Impact Award
Dr. Rosy Khurana (Beaconsfield, QC)

Rural Health Champion Award
Ms. Ida Anishinabie (Sandy Lake, ON)

Rural Mentorship Award
Dr. Jason Malinowski (Barry’s Bay, ON)

Rural Specialist Merit Award
Dr. Jesse Guscott (Collingwood, ON)

Keith Award
Université Laval (Québec City, QC) — accepted by Dr. Sonia Sylvain and Dr. Soufiane Bensaidane

Rural Medical Education Award
Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John’s, NL) — accepted by Dr. Andrew Hunt

Rural Heart Award
Dr. Mark Biernacki (Victoria, BC)

These award recipients exemplify the dedication, collaboration, and compassion that define rural medicine in Canada. From community impact and mentorship to education and system leadership, their contributions continue to shape stronger health care for rural and remote communities.

👏 Congratulations to all award recipients!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/24/2026

🏆Celebrating the 2026 SRPC Student & Resident Award Winners 🎉

We’re proud to recognize this year’s outstanding students and residents whose leadership, research, and dedication are helping shape the future of rural and remote health care in Canada.

Top Student Research Poster
Emily Parsons, Memorial University, NL

Top Resident Research Poster
Dr. Dennis Brown and Dr. Maya Venkataraman, University of Dalhousie, NS

Rural Student Essay Award
Ms. Melissa Yeo, Owen Sound, ON

Rural Resident Essay Award
Dr. Kapilan Panchendrabose, Lethbridge, ON

Rural Student Leadership Award
Ms. Kristina LeDrew, Conception Bay South, NL
Miss Alanna Pullen, Hornepayne, ON

Rural Resident Leadership Award
Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, Millerton, NB

From research and writing to community impact and leadership, these recipients reflect the passion and commitment driving rural medicine forward.

👏 Congratulations to all award recipients!

View the full list:
https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2026/

04/17/2026

What a moment for SRPC! We were thrilled to welcome federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel to a packed room at the conference, the energy was incredible.

Moderated by Dr. Sarah Newbery, the fireside chat brought together the Minister with SRPC President, Dr. Sarah Giles, and Past-Presdient, Dr. Gavin Parker for a dynamic and engaging conversation.

A clear message came through: partnership matters. Minister Michel spoke about standing with us, advocating alongside rural physicians, and recognizing the federal role in supporting health care across Canada, while also encouraging us to keep pushing forward.

We’re proud of this moment, proud of our community, and energized for what comes next. 💙

04/16/2026

Dr. Gavin Parker has completed his term as SRPC President, and we’re deeply grateful for his leadership, vision, and enthusiasm. His dedication helped elevate SRPC to new heights and advance our mission across rural Canada.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sarah Giles as our new President. Her intelligence, energy, and proactive spirit inspire us, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen rural healthcare together. We are truly fortunate.