Discovery Week 2026 introduces medical students to rural medicine at AMGH
May 29, 2026
First-year medical students from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University began their learning and training with Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) as part of the 28th annual Discovery Week.
From May 25 to May 28, Schulich Medicine physicians-in-training were welcomed as temporary members of the Goderich community. During their immersive, one-week placement at AMGH, the medical students familiarized themselves with teamwork and collaboration in the local health-care setting and had exciting opportunities to discover all the community has to offer.
Discovery Week is a long-standing program that gives all first-year medical students the opportunity to experience what life and health care look like in regional and rural communities across Southwestern Ontario.
“Discovery Week gives medical students an opportunity to experience both the practice of rural medicine and the strong sense of community that makes Goderich such a special place to live and work,” said Jimmy Trieu, President and CEO of Huron Health System. “By spending time alongside our physicians, staff, and community leaders, students gain a firsthand understanding of the rewards and impact of practising in a rural setting. We hope this experience inspires many of them to return in the future to build their careers and care for our community.”
During Discovery Week 2026, 190 Schulich Medicine students were placed in more than 30 participating communities, from Windsor to Owen Sound.
“Our community partners play a vital role in our students’ medical education by providing exceptional, first-hand, in-patient care experiences in rural and regional settings,” said Dr. Victor Ng, assistant dean, Distributed Education, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.
“We are incredibly grateful for this long-standing partnership which prepares and inspires a cohort of physicians to practise in small and mid-sized communities across the province. Through this collaboration, Schulich medical students will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for rural-regional medicine and health-care providers. Many also return to practise in the communities they trained in."
To learn more about Schulich Medicine’s Discovery Week program or arrange an interview with Dr. Ng, please contact media@uwo.ca. For information about Discovery Week in your community please contact alana.ross@amgh.ca.