Over three dozen University of Saskatchewan medical students and some family medicine residents were able to experience medical and cultural life in two northern Saskatchewan communities this past weekend.
The event took place in Ile-a-la-Crosse and Buffalo Narrows on Saturday, and was part of the Roadmap tour put on by the Saskatchewan Medical Association.
Dr. Darcie McGonigle is a physicians in Ile-a-la-Crosse and was the general organizer of the tour. McGonigle says that a goal of the tour was to bring more permanent medical staff to northern Saskatchewan.
“We want people to come and live here and experience this community,” McGonigle explained. “We hope the students got a taste of what it’s like to live here and we would be happy to have them back at any time in the future.”
The tour included an ultrasound demo, jigging, beading and an escape room.
“This is a hook to get people to come practise here,” McGonigle said. “Practising in northern Saskatchewan is very different that the rest of the province.”
Ile-a-la-Crosse also hosted a Roadmap tour in 2014.
(Photo of Dr. Reid McGonigle demonstrating ultrasound use in Ile-a-la-Crosse courtesy of the Saskatchewan Medical Association)