“As an R2 in the rural family medicine program in Collingwood, I am very proud to recommend our site for anyone interested in the full scope of practice of a rural generalist. Residents in Collingwood are assigned to preceptors that have hospital privileges, work emergency medicine, do obstetrical care and run busy family practices. There is great opportunity to get involved in care of the elderly and palliative care rotations. Furthermore, we have a fantastic group of GP-anesthesiologists who are very welcoming to residents keen on getting some exposure to airway management.

Our surgical specialists are always accepting of having the residents get involved whether it be with the fracture clinics, lumps and bumps or obstetrical services. As such, the Collingwood residents gain an experience that is truly geared towards generalist medicine. This particular aspect of our site is the highlight of training here. The first year is relatively set in terms of scheduling but the second year is designed to be flexible to meet learners career goals. We have two blocks of elective time as well as selective time in Surgical and Medicine subspecialties.

We are rural, but not remote. As a large tourist area, we benefit from a great selection of restaurants, entertainment activities and of course the great lifestyle that comes with living on the shores of Georgian Bay. If maintaining an active life while getting great medical training is what you are seeking during residency, this is a fantastic site for you! Residents are often found on the slopes at Blue Mountain following days in clinic or can be seen cruising the lake on weekends off. Cycling, running, hiking, sailing, boating; you name it, it is done at this site.

There is some commuting involved in the program as we leave our main site in the R1 year to complete pediatrics and internal medicine rotations in either Orillia or Owen Sound. Don’t worry, you are compensated for housing and/or commuting costs. These rotations are very high yield and it allows us to explore other rural communities throughout our residency. In addition to formal rotations, there are opportunities to gain practice in US skills, to do longitudinal electives and there are many course/conferences offered in the area including ATLS, AIME and CASTED to name a few.

I might be biased seeing as I am a resident in Collingwood, but this is truly an amazing site if you want to gain the skills to be a generalist in family practice while living in a community that offers so much from a lifestyle perspective.”