For First and Second Year Medical Students of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Are you interested in a challenging clinical-teaching elective this summer?

MedQUEST Health Career Exploration Program is the teaching component of a six week, clinical-teaching elective, offered in rural regional Southwestern Ontario, to Year 1 and Year 2 SSMD medical students.  Participating communities warmly welcome medical students for this unique placement, where experiences are divided between clinical observerships (Family Medicine, ER, OR, OBS/GYN, EMS, Allied Health Professions) and MedQUEST program teaching preparations.

This diverse elective experience was designed to introduce medical students to community based, rural regional medicine and to introduce secondary school students in those communities to the various disciplines of health care through a one-week "MedQUEST" program using state-of-the-art advanced simulator training, peer workshops and the opportunity to observe physicians/nurses in a clinical setting.

As a Medical Student Advisor, you work cooperatively within communities in Southwestern Ontario to assist, mentor and guide students through the week’s activities. Your commitment has a remarkable impact on the high school students – students’ mentorship is an integral part of the week’s program. Through group dialogue and one-on-one interaction, MedQUEST participants develop a rapport and quiet confidence with their counsellors – students like themselves who are moving ahead with their chosen health profession. You can open their eyes to the many opportunities that are available. Through the MedQUEST experience, participants gain hands-on expertise and return to their secondary school studies with an increased sense of what they want to accomplish.

It’s more than an elective – it’s an experience! 

Medical student advisors are introduced to the participating community through a six-week placement.  Working together with the area community coordinator and physician contact, MedQUEST programming begins to take shape.  A wide network of allied professionals help deliver this programming, including municipal councillors, hospital administrations, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician recruitment divisions, service clubs, school boards, volunteer committees and more!

In the weeks preceding the teaching week, time will be divided between diverse clinical placements and planning for the MedQUEST curriculum. MedQUEST Health Career Exploration Program will be delivered to the secondary school students during week five.

Why don’t you apply!

First and second year students of the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry are eligible to apply for one of the medical student counsellors positions with MedQUEST. It is important to note that three positions are required for each program location. Program locations for this year are Chatham, Leamington, Sarnia, Seaforth, Walkerton, and Ingersoll-Tillsonburg.  Further, for 2010 we will be introducing a First Nations Program (more details to follow).  Interested applicants need to submit the following:

• Resume
• Covering Letter
• Short (500 word or less) narrative - Why I want to participate in MedQUEST

Applications may be mailed/faxed/emailed to:

Kathy Van Dinther, MedQUEST Coordinator
Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
The University of Western Ontario
100 Collip Circle, Suite 225
London, Ontario
N6G 4X8

Phone: 519-661-2111, ext. 22147
Fax: 519-858-5131
Email:  kathy.vandinther@schulich.uwo.ca

Call for medical student counsellor applications begins January 20, 2010 and remains open until all positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed by MedQUEST's selection committee. Applicants will be notified of their status via the MedQUEST Coordinator.

Help Make a Difference!

Many communities in Southwestern Ontario face a critical shortage of health care professionals.  Successful strategies, like MedQUEST, encourage communities to work together to develop unique, proactive solutions to this dilemna.