Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC)

07/23/2025

🎉 Register Early, Win Big! 🎉
We’re thrilled to bring the Mini R&R Conference to Regina, Saskatchewan this fall, and we want YOU to be part of it.

Register by August 15, and you'll be entered to WIN FREE REGISTRATION to attend this year’s Mini R&R on September 20, 2025.

💡 Mini R&R is a one-day powerhouse of rural education, connection, and inspiration.

✅ Don’t miss out on your chance to save your spot, and win your way in.
👉REGISTER NOW: https://mini.ruralandremoteconference.ca/

07/23/2025

We stand with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians - CAEP in calling for system design that reflects the realities of rural life. Every Canadian deserves timely, high-quality emergency care, no matter their postal code.

🚨 BREAKING: Rural emergency care is essential. Access must reflect population needs—not politics.

CAEP is standing up for equitable access to emergency services in rural and remote communities across Canada.

Read the full statement 👉 https://caep.ca/breaking-news/

07/18/2025

🤝 We’re proud to announce a new multi-year strategic agreement between the SRPC, MD Financial Management, and Scotiabank to advance rural generalist medical care in Canada.

This collaboration strengthens our commitment to rural physicians by supporting education, advocacy, collaboration, and research. With MD and Scotiabank as our exclusive financial services partners, SRPC members gain access to tailored banking and wealth management solutions, designed specifically for physicians and medical learners at every stage of their journey.

Together, we’re empowering rural healthcare.

🔗 Read the full release: https://invested.mdm.ca/md-financial-management-and-scotiabank-team-up-with-the-society-of-rural-physicians-of-canada-to-support-front-line-medical-workers/

MD Financial Management - Gestion financière MD

07/15/2025

Rural ERs Are Not “Glorified Walk-in Clinics”: SRPC Responds to Globe and Mail Column

On July 8, 2025, Globe and Mail health columnist André Picard published a piece titled “Should Every Small-Town Hospital Have its Own ER?”. While we generally respect Mr. Picard’s contributions to health journalism, this particular article struck a deeply concerning chord with many in the rural medical community.

In the column, Mr. Picard characterizes rural emergency rooms as “glorified walk-in clinics” and suggests they should be shuttered in favour of urgent care centres and more paramedics transporting patients to already overburdened tertiary care centres. This framing not only lacks supporting evidence, it also disregards the lived realities of rural patients and health care providers and raises significant equity concerns.

Members of the SRPC’s Health and Human Resources Committee submitted a response to the Globe and Mail, which unfortunately declined to publish it, although they accepted a much more brief letter to the editor today, July 15th.

We believe this conversation is too important to be silenced. You can read the full op-ed below, a reasoned, evidence-informed rebuttal that outlines why rural Canadians deserve timely, high-quality emergency care close to home.

Read full response: https://srpc.ca/rural-ers-are-not-glorified-walk-in-clinics-srpc-responds-to-globe-and-mail-column/

06/27/2025

🌾 We’re thrilled to announce the Second Annual Mini R&R Conference!

After a fantastic first year, we’re bringing this condensed version of our main event, the Rural & Remote Medicine Conference, to Regina, Saskatchewan, in 2025!

Join us in the heart of the prairies, a place known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and strong community of rural health champions. The Mini R&R Conference offers focused, high-impact education, opportunities for meaningful collaboration, and a chance to connect with colleagues dedicated to advancing rural and remote care across Canada.

📍 Save the Date!
Mini R&R sessions: September 20, 2025
Location: Regina, SK
Held in conjunction with the Saskatchewan College of Family Physicians’ 71st Annual Family Medicine Conference (September 18–19, 2025).

✨ Please note: Each event requires separate registration.

👉 Register for Mini R&R: https://mini.ruralandremoteconference.ca/

Let’s keep building bridges and strengthening rural health together ,we can’t wait to see you in Regina!

06/26/2025

🚨 Calling All Resident Docs! 🚨

We are looking for members to join the SRPC Resident Committee for the 2025-26 year!🎉
The committee is made up of resident doctors from across Canada committed to supporting residents interested in rural and remote medicine. 🌾🏥

1) Co-Chair Applications (Deadline July 26, 2025): https://forms.gle/FoETbYRyweMgn9ag9

2) Team Lead/General Member Applications (Deadline August 16, 2025): https://forms.gle/S7xvb2CVo4aQfcLH9

For more info:https://srpc.ca/residents/
SRPC membership (20$) will be required for any successful applicants

https://srpc.ca/join-now-society-of-rural-physicians-of-canada/

SRPC Residents

06/16/2025

🚨 Introducing SRPC’s Locum Finder. Built by Rural Docs, for Rural Docs! 🩺🌾

Finding locum coverage or your next rural opportunity shouldn’t be a barrier. That’s why we created the SRPC Locum Finder, a national, member-powered platform designed to connect rural physicians with qualified locums across Canada.

✅ Heading out on vacation? Post your locum opportunity now to keep your community covered.
✅ Looking to locum? Create your profile, list your skills, and get matched with rural needs.

The more listings we have, the stronger this tool becomes for all SRPC members.

💻 Get started now: https://locumfinder.srpc.ca/
Let’s support each other and build a stronger future for rural healthcare, together.

06/08/2025

Wrapping up a great weekend at the BC Rural Health Conference in Prince George! ✈️

We loved meeting new members, reconnecting with familiar faces, and sharing SRPC swag along the way. A memorable trip filled with beautiful nature and even a surprise pig sighting! 🐷

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth! 💙

06/04/2025

Rural Reach Webinar Alert! 🚨

“I’m Staff, Now What?”
Join Drs. Kimberley Chang, Finola Hackett, Sonja Poole, Alex Raynard & Julie Saby for a candid Rural Reach session on the transition to independent rural practice.

👩‍⚕️ Designed for residents, new grads & early-career docs
🧠 Real tips, lessons & support from the SRPC’s First Five Years of Practice Committee
📅 Thursday, June 12 | 🕗 8 PM ET | 💻 Zoom
💸 Free for SRPC members

➡️ REGISTER HERE: https://srpcportal.ca/event-6199570

05/12/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 Student and Resident Award Recipients! 🎉
These awards celebrate the future of rural medicine,students and residents who demonstrate exceptional leadership, research, and commitment to rural health. Your voices and vision are helping shape a brighter, more connected future for rural communities across Canada.

🏅 Resident Leadership Award
• Dr. Anchaleena Mandal – Kingston, ON (absent)
• Dr. Kapilan Panchendrabose – Lethbridge, AB

🏅 Student Leadership Award
• Mr. Aria Rezapour – Port Coquitlam, BC
• Miss Tiana Bressan – Sault Ste Marie, ON

🏅 Student Essay Winner
• Miss Alanna Pullen – Hornepayne, ON

🏅 Resident Essay Winner
• Dr. Rachel Belanger – Sudbury, ON

🏅 Student Research Poster
• Alicia Schulz – Hornepayne, ON

🏅 Resident Research Poster
• Dr. Taylor Jamieson-Datzkiw – Winnipeg, MB (absent)

📚 To explore more about each award category, visit:
🔗 https://srpc.ca/awards-categories/
📜 Full list of 2025 winners:
🔗 https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2025/

05/09/2025

🌟 Congratulations to the 2025 Special Recognition Award Recipients!
These awards honour individuals, institutions, and teams making exceptional contributions to rural medicine and health in Canada. From mentorship to leadership, education to community impact,your work uplifts rural health care nationwide.

👏 Thank you for your passion, innovation, and dedication!

2025 Special Recognition Awards:
🏅 Rural Health Champion Award: Mr. Chuck Schmitt (Dryden, ON)
🏅 Rural Community Impact Award: Dr. Carolyn Brown (Bancroft, ON)
🏅 Rural Mentorship Award: Dr. Frances Kilbertus (Manitoulin Island, ON)
🏅 Rural Specialist Merit Award: Dr. Peter Miles (Grande Prairie, AB)
🏅 Rural Leadership Award: Inuvik Regional Hospital GP Surgical Team (Inuvik, NT)
🏅 Keith Award: Université Laval
🏅 Rural Medical Education Award: University of Manitoba

🔍 To read more about each award category, visit:
🔗 https://srpc.ca/awards-categories/

📜 Full list of 2025 winners:
🔗 https://srpc.ca/awards-winners-2025/