First-year medical students from Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will be spending time in Huron and Perth Counties this month as part of Discovery Week 2025.
Discovery Week has been a tradition for 27 years, giving new medical students the chance to gain hands-on experience in real health care settings across Southwestern Ontario. From May 26 to 29, students will be learning and training at Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) hospitals in Clinton, Seaforth, St. Marys and Stratford.
During the week, students will meet patients, work alongside doctors and nurses, and see what health care is like in smaller communities. It’s also a chance to explore the area and learn more about the teamwork that goes into providing local care.
Dr. Shanil Narayan, Regional Academic Director for Huron Perth, says the week is a meaningful experience for both the students and the local health care teams who welcome them. He says it’s a great way to highlight the community and show students what it’s like to live and work in Huron and Perth.
Dr. Victor Ng, assistant dean of Distributed Education at Schulich, says this program is key to preparing future doctors to work in small and mid-sized communities. He adds that many students return to practice in the areas where they trained.
This year, more than 190 Schulich students will take part in Discovery Week across over 30 communities from Windsor to Owen Sound.
To learn more about the program, visit www.schulich.uwo.ca/distributededucation.
Written by: K. Milhomens