Rural Medicine - Bred in the Bone

Christine Law’s interest in rural communities has been life-long. It began when she moved at age three with her family to Courtenay, B.C., a city of approximately 24,000, and has continued as she studies to become a doctor.

Now a fourth-year medical student, Christine recently received a BC Rural Interest Award from the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC), made up of representatives from Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health. The award is for medical students who demonstrate an interest in practicing in rural BC communities.

Christine says, “I plan to use my award to help me re-locate back to Vancouver Island to complete my Family Medicine residency.”

Christine is one of 20 students who successfully applied this year to receive one of the $5,000 awards. The award helps support medical students training in rural communities. Research shows that a doctor who trains in a rural community is more likely to return to that community once trained. 

Due to the high-level of interest from students, starting in 2016, the number of students who can receive an award increases to 30 students.

Christine has always been community-minded. While living in Courtenay, she was an active community member working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, volunteering on the local crisis line, co-facilitating a suicide education program, volunteering at St. Joseph’s General Hospital, and as a first aid attendant at the Mount Washington Alpine Ski Resort. It was while she volunteered as a first aid attendant that Christine was really exposed to the challenges of rural medicine.

Currently, finishing her fourth year as part of the Northern Medical Program, Christine’s interest in rural medicine has become even stronger. Christine will be graduating in May and will begin her family medicine residency in Nanaimo. She looks forward to completing her training and settling in a rural community that she can call “home”.