Cape Breton Medical Campus Students Attend Family Physician Career Fair

Students at the Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC) explored their futures as family doctors during a career fair highlighting the many facets of family medicine. The inaugural CBMC class was joined by local physicians and healthcare providers for this half-day event held at the CBU campus.

Dr. Stephanie Langley, CBMC Senior Associate Dean, says she envisioned the event as an opportunity to bring together local healthcare professionals and allow students to take a deep dive into the many specialities rolled into the practice family medicine. A family doctor in North Sydney for more than 20 years, Dr. Langley brings a depth of understanding of the challenges and opportunities in family medicine.

“Family medicine is not a single specialty but many woven into one,” Dr. Langley explains. “During the career fair, we featured elements of GP oncology, sports medicine, care of the elderly, urgent treatment, medical assistance in dying, and Indigenous health. Students had the opportunity to speak with doctors who have expanded their expertise or followed their passion in particular areas of family practice.”

Connecting with her networks across Cape Breton, Dr. Langley laid the groundwork for the career fair by inviting family medicine specialists to engage with CBMC students during the Saturday morning gathering. The series of displays focused on different aspects of family medicine that are considered in the wholistic approach to patient care. Dr. Langley says relationships among medical professionals in small, local communities tend to be strong, collaborative and effective.

“As doctors in rural communities, we don’t just serve communities, we belong to them,” says Dr. Langley. “The physicians involved in the career fair share a common interest in building and maintaining a community of practice when it comes to rural family medicine.”

Bryah Boutilier, a first-year student at CBMC, says she appreciated the opportunity to speak with practicing physicians and gain insight into the full breadth of family medicine.

“It’s really amazing that local doctors took time on a Saturday to meet with us. It was great to hear how they individualized their practice around their own passions,” says Bryah. “They shared how their personal experiences have shaped the way they continue to evolve their practices and how dynamic that remains throughout their careers,” she adds. “As we begin our own journeys in family medicine, this was such a valuable experience and an important reminder not to lose sight of our own passions.”

Liam Rappoldt, also a first-year student, engaged in discussion with local physician, Dr. R.J. MacKenzie about his involvement in sports medicine.

“One thing that inspired me during my conversations with local physicians was chatting with Dr. MacKenzie about work he does with Hockey Canada and local hockey organizations,” Liam explains. “As a someone who grew up with hockey being a huge part of my life, it inspired me to know that I might provide care to athletes through organizations like Hockey Canada and stay involved in the game through my work as a physician.”

CBMC students are all residents of Nova Scotia and will serve rural family medicine in their home province for at least five years after finishing their medical studies. This represents a rural pathway for people from Nova Scotia to pursue their medical degrees at Sydney’s CBMC, while remaining part of Dalhousie’s School of Medicine. CBMC’s inaugural class will complete their medical degrees in 2029.