First-year students from Western University are gaining real-world clinical exposure with Bluewater Health as part of a province-wide rural training initiative.
Medical students from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University have begun their placements with Bluewater Health in Sarnia and Petrolia as part of Discovery Week 2025.
Now in its 27th year, Discovery Week places all first-year Schulich medical students in immersive, one-week placements in health-care settings across Southwestern Ontario. From May 26 to May 29, students in Sarnia-Lambton will be introduced to the region’s health-care systems and local patient care while getting a sense of what a day in the life of a health-care provider looks like in Lambton County.
During their placements, students are exposed to teamwork and collaboration within a non-urban setting, and have opportunities to engage with the broader community.
“Discovery Week offers students a valuable introduction to local clinical practices and the collaborative environment that define medical practice in Sarnia-Lambton,” said Dr. Mike Haddad, Chief of Staff at Bluewater Health. “Experiencing care in our community helps future physicians envision the many opportunities to build a rewarding and impactful career here.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued collaboration with partners who welcome our medical students into their communities and provide them with unparalleled first-hand experiences,” said Dr. Victor Ng, Assistant Dean, Distributed Education, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. “Together, we’re training and inspiring a cohort of physicians who are eager and prepared to practise in small and mid-sized communities across Ontario.”
This year, more than 190 Schulich Medicine students are participating in Discovery Week, with placements in more than 30 communities from Windsor to Owen Sound.
“Through Discovery Week, Schulich medical students will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for rural regional medicine and health-care providers,” said Dr. Ng. “Many return to practise in the communities they trained in.”
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