The Tarrant Scholarship provides funds for selected third-year medical students from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary who demonstrate a strong interest in developing their career in rural medicine.
The 2026 Tarrant Scholarship is now CLOSED. We thank all those that submitted an application. We will notify all applicants of the results by mid-August 2026.
To learn more, visit the Tarrant Scholarship webpage.
The Section of Rural Medicine is a united voice in educating Albertans about what Rural Generalists do for patients and the economic impact rural health has on our communities. We advocate for the financial respect rural physicians need and deserve. We are relentless champions of rural medicine, but to continue that work, we need the involvement and support of all rural physicians across the province.
If you’re not already a member of the Section of Rural Medicine, please join us and ensure your voice as a rural physician is heard. We need your unique insights into your work, your patients and your community, and what is required to ensure Albertans receive the care they need in the communities they call home.
When you become a section member, you pay applicable section dues in addition to AMA membership dues. The section receives the dues collected to directly support the work on behalf of rural physicians.
We can’t do this work without rural physicians like you, and now is the right time to become a member. To check your section membership status, please email [email protected]. For more information on how to join.
"Family Doctors and Rural Generalists form the bedrock of Alberta's health care system. This belief drives my passion for advocacy, and it has been immensely rewarding to work through the Section of Family Medicine to continue to champion the vital contributions of my colleagues. My goal is to ensure we are all supported in continuing to provide exceptional care to our patients and our communities."
~Dr. Trevor Day, BSc, MD, BMBS, CCFP
Meet Your Executive
The SRM Executive leads the work of the Section and advocates on the issues that matter to members. It includes a president, president-elect/past president, secretary/treasurer, three to five members-at-large. Representatives from the Section of Family Medicine, Primary Care Network Physician Leads Executive, Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA), Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP), Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) and Specialty Care Alliance (SCA) also hold ex-officio roles on the SRM Executive.
SRM President
- Dr. Rithesh Ram, Drumheller
SRM Secretary Treasurer
- Dr. Jonathan Somerville, Sundre
SRM Members-at-Large
- Dr. Michael Beach, Drumheller
- Dr. Robert Halse, Ponoka
- Dr. Johan Van der Walt, Brooks
- Dr. Theresa Watson, Bonnyville
Section of Rural Medicine Representatives
- Dr. Abigail Allen, Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA), Lethbridge
- Dr. Sarah Bates, SFM President, Calgary
- Dr. Rick Buck, Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP), Lethbridge
- Dr. Richard Martin, Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP), Grande Prairie
- Dr. Rajesh Narula, Specialty Care Alliance, Lethbridge
- Dr. Jacky (Ching Wen) Wang, PCN Physician Lead Executive, Provost
- Dr. Michael Beach, Drumheller
- Dr. Rithesh Ram, Drumheller
- Dr. Kristy Penner, Chair, Elected Member
- Dr. Leigh Beamish, Elected Member
- Dr. Robert Halse, Appointed Member
- Dr. Theresa Watson, Appointed Member
Secure Section Content
MEMBERS OF THE SECTION HAVE ACCESS TO:
- The section's AGM minutes,
- The section's bylaws,
- Recordings of sessions, town halls (if applicable)
