A medical education council, consisting of eight Island physicians, has been formed to work in various aspects of residency training with medical site director, Dr. George Carruthers.

“This represents another significant step in establishing our province’s Family Medicine Residency Program and government is committed to continuing on track as we move through the development phases,” says Premier Ghiz. “The residency program is a major component of our physician recruitment and retention strategy and will be key in helping to ensure we have an adequate number of doctors for Islanders.”

“I’m thrilled that we’re progressing within the required timelines and moving closer to making the residency program a reality,” said Health Minister, Doug Currie. “Medical residents who train here have a higher probability of staying in the province to practice on a long-term basis. This program will greatly complement our existing recruitment initiatives and further assist in stabilizing our physician workforce into the future.”

The medical education council will establish the policies, programming and standards required to bring the Family Medicine Residency Program to its full implementation in July, 2009.

The physicians on the medical education council are located across the Island and each will have a different responsibility. The range of roles and duties include developing policies and programs for medical students and family medicine residents, planning for the medical curriculum and developing evaluation processes for residents and faculty.

“The physicians on the medical education council have a variety of experience levels in medical student training and will bring diverse expertise to their roles on the council,“ said Dr. George Carruthers, medical site director. “I’m very pleased to have the medical education council in place and look forward to working with these talented and skilled physicians.”

The function of the council is modelled on other existing residency programs and must meet program criteria specified by Dalhousie University Department of Family Medicine.