Twenty medical students are learning about the industry by shadowing health care professionals at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance this week.
The first-year medical students from Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry are participating in "Discovery Week 2019". The initiative looks to teach students about rural and regional health care settings.
"Discovery Week is a great opportunity to provide medical students positive exposure to rural hospitals like CKHA," said President and CEO Lori Marshall in a statement. "This unique learning opportunity has brought back many Discovery Week participants to Chatham-Kent to complete electives during their third and fourth year of medical school."
Over the next few days, students will observe family physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, and health care professionals.
"At CKHA we look forward to Discovery Week every year and once again we are thrilled to participate. It's always gratifying for all of us involved to watch these students come full circle, as they graduate from medical school, enter residency and practice medicine," said Kim Sutton, interdisciplinary education coordinator at the CKHA.
The CKHA has been a host for students through "Discovery Week" for over a decade. This year, the CKHA is one of 33 locations participating in the initiative.