NAMP Newsletter - June 2026

Celebrating a Strong Start: NAMP’s Successful First Year

The Northern Alberta Medical Program proudly celebrated the close of its first inaugural year with a memorable gathering on May 1, 2026, at Camp Tamarack. Bringing together staff, faculty, students and valued community members, the event was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on a year of growth, collaboration and achievement.

Set against the backdrop of the outdoors, attendees enjoyed a BBQ, games and time to connect—celebrating not only the accomplishments of the past year but also the strong relationships that have been built along the way. The atmosphere was one of appreciation and excitement, highlighting the collective effort that made this first year such a success.

The Northern Alberta Medical Program extends its sincere thanks to all staff, students, faculty and community members who attended and contributed to this milestone celebration. Your support, dedication and enthusiasm have been instrumental in shaping the program’s success. Without you, this achievement would not have been possible.

As the program looks ahead, this celebration marks the beginning of what promises to be a lasting tradition—honoring progress, community and continued success in the years to come.

A Collective Achievement: Honoring Our First Year and Looking Ahead

The end of our First Academic Year of the Northern Alberta Medical Program is a fitting time to reflect, understand, be grateful and refocus our gaze to the future. The NAMP Team has been able to deliver, truly from the ground up, a complete year of academic learning - an accomplishment we can all be incredibly proud of. With shared purpose, the U of A Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Northwestern Polytechnic have brought their commitment to this achievement. Our Communities, Indigenous Leaders and Health System partners have brought vision and guidance, while sharing the load in this work. Our Teachers and Staff have shouldered tremendous loads, knowing the task is worth the effort and our Students have had the dual roles of learners AND teachers along the way.

But even more so, it has become obvious that this project and all the energy that it requires, is a shared journey that binds our Program, our Institutions, our Teachers, our Students and our Communities into one single Team. This Collective is the backbone of our development, the foundation of our delivery and the wind in the sails of our shared aspirations.

Please take time to congratulate each other and recommit to our journey. We support and commit to each other, as we look to the brighter future that has propelled us since Day 1. Join us.

Richard Martin, Assistant Dean - Northern Alberta Medical Program

Meet Matt | Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) Student

NAMP Faculty Development Event Returns This Fall

The Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) is pleased to announce its upcoming Faculty Development event, taking place this fall at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. Designed to foster meaningful learning and connection, this year’s event will be delivered in an expanded day-and-a-half, fully in-person format—offering enhanced opportunities for collaboration among colleagues from across the region.

Kicking off the evening of Friday, October 23, the program will begin with an introduction to the medical program, followed by a full day of engaging sessions on Saturday, October 24. Attendees can look forward to practical and insightful topics, including strategies for maximizing teaching in busy clinical environments, delivering effective feedback, and understanding academic integrity and curriculum mapping.

This event will bring together both physician and non-physician educators who are passionate about strengthening community-based medical education. A light supper will be provided on Friday, with breakfast and lunch served on Saturday.

Be sure to save the date—additional details and registration information will be shared soon.

Meet the Team

The Northern Alberta Medical Program is proud to introduce our Year 2 Academic Coordinator Justine Bristow to the team.

Guiding the Next Generation: Celebrating MeDMAP Mentors and LCE Preceptors

MeDMAP mentors and LCE preceptors play a vital role in supporting medical students throughout their training, providing guidance, clinical insight, and practical, hands-on learning experiences. Through interactive teaching, case-based discussions and real-world clinical supervision, they help learners translate knowledge into practice while building confidence and essential professional skills. Beyond teaching, they offer valuable mentorship and career advice, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.

The Northern Alberta Medical Program extends its sincere gratitude to the dedicated MeDMAP mentors and LCE preceptors of 2025–2026. With contributions from communities including Grande Prairie, Spirit River, High Prairie, Hinton, Peace River, Athabasca, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Calling Lake and Whitecourt, these committed educators are instrumental in shaping the next generation of skilled and compassionate physicians.

Interested in becoming a MeDMAP mentor or LCE preceptor? For more information visit here.

Shape the Future of Medicine—Teach with Us!

Join the University of Alberta’s MD Program and inspire the next generation of physicians. Share your expertise, shape future healthcare leaders, and make a lasting impact on healthcare in Alberta.

The Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) is recruiting clinical teachers with a passion for Rural and Regional Generalist practice. Be part of this exciting new chapter — our second first cohort of 30 students arrives in Fall 2026!

Teaching Opportunities:

Lecturer - Deliver live or virtual lectures to pre-clerkship medical students from Grande Prairie or anywhere!

Small Group Learning Facilitator - Lead small groups, fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding of foundational medical concepts

Clinical Skills Instructor - Teach essential hands-on and communication skills in clinical and simulated settings

Physician Mentorship - Guide and advise students on their career and education journey

OSCE Examiner - Assess students’ clinical skills in standardized exams

Why get Involved?

Gain University of Alberta Formal Affiliation with access to faculty development and U of A resources

Shape Future Physicians - Make a direct and lasting impact

Get Comprehensive Support - Onboarding, training, administration, and tech help provided

Grow and Be Recognized - Receive feedback and recognition

Support Rural Health - Help train much-needed rural physicians

Enjoy Rewarding Mentorship - Find satisfaction in guiding future doctors

Get Compensated - $125/hour for direct clinical instruction

Sign up Here

Building Compassion in the North: Join the Patient Immersion Experience

As the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) enters its second year in Grande Prairie, we are excited to expand the Patient Immersion Experience (PIE). After a successful inaugural year, we are again looking for community members to help our next cohort of medical students understand the person behind the patient.

What is the Patient Immersion Experience? PIE is a unique educational bridge that moves beyond textbooks and clinics. We match a pair of medical students with a local Patient Mentor - someone living with a chronic illness or disability - to learn about the real-world realities of navigating the healthcare system in Northern Alberta.

Why Your Voice Matters: Our students are developing their clinical knowledge, but the most important lessons come from you. By sharing your story, you help future doctors develop the empathy, communication skills and local perspective required to provide exceptional care in our region.

Program Details:

Three informal visits over the 2026-2027 academic year. Orientation and meet + greet occurs September 2026.

Students will guide the meetings with questions focused on your medical journey, challenges and successes.
Mentors must live within 40 km of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.
We are seeking individuals who are comfortable sharing their lived experiences.

Shape the Future of Northern Medicine Help us ensure that the next generation of physicians understands the community they serve. To learn more or express your interest, please visit here.

NAMP extends a warm thank you to all who express interest. While we value every volunteer, participation is based on student matching and program capacity for the upcoming term.

Questions? Reach out to us at NAMPcse@ualberta.ca.

Are you conducting research and interested in hosting a student for shadowing? Clinics or physicians involved in research who would like to offer student shadowing opportunities are welcome to email us at namptssr@ualberta.ca to discuss possibilities.

Inspire the next generation of physicians by teaching in the University of Alberta’s MD Program, an innovative medical school dedicated to training diverse, competent and compassionate physician leaders to serve the health needs of all Albertans. Share your expertise, shape future healthcare leaders, and make a lasting impact where it’s needed most!

Sign up to Teach in the MD Program